Hard Fought Loss

Fleet's Fortitude On Full Display

Late no shows and injuries did hamper the away side before departing for Tarleton. Fortunately, with the third team being called off due to a lack of opposition, the second string managed to go away with a strong eighteen.

Getting there late, the warm up and the pre match preparation was not the best. Which was highlighted in the first 20 minutes of the game. Fleetwood, presumably mentally still on the bus allowed themselves to be drawn into silly mistakes and pulled out wide on overlaps. Tarleton's winger dutifully pounced on three mistakes and scored three tries in quick easy succession.

This left the away side on wrong footing to get something out of the match, but the Fleetwood boys were never going to lie-down. Strong carries from the forwards and vocal marshaling from half backs Kirton and Pearce got the away side into the area of the pitch where Fleetwood wanted to play.

After sustained Fleetwood attacking pressure, the home side's resolve started to crumble and penalties were being conceded. After all the forwards pulled their weight in trying to get a team mate over the line, it was none other than Hooker Pook who managed to stretch his arm over the white line to score. Unfortunately, Sam dislocated his shoulder whilst grounding the ball. This was a blessing in disguise, as it allowed returning nautical man Brown to take over the line outs - and to great affect!

At half time words of encouragement were said, and the Fleetwood lads were starting to believe that an upset might be on the cards. That was until Tarleton brought a ringer on in the center, who carved the away side up before eventually setting up another try for the home team.

Fleetwood immediately got back in their hosts faces with some big clattering runs from the forwards. The forwards worked themselves up the pitch, chomping at the bit to get over the line. Scrum Half Joe Kirton bided his time, picking his moment for glory to get the score.

By this point Fleetwood were playing all the rugby and the gears were starting to shift, unfortunately, Tarleton pounced on two mistakes to allow a home prop to power his way through a tackle and the previously mentioned winger to round the tiring away side again to gain his fourth try.

To cap the game off Center Hall managed to wake himself up from his slumber and score near to the sticks. This in turn brought Hall out of his funk and played to his ability.

The game ended shortly after a home player had a head on collision trying to tackle replacement back row Buzza. We would like to wish him a speedy recovery.

Full Time 40 v 19

Tries: Pook; Kirton; Hall
Conversions: Pearce (2)

This was a frustrating game. Fleetwood played all the good rugby. The forwards did their job and the backs did theirs. Tough fighting effort undone by a opposition winger who wouldn't look out of place on the Athletics track.

Failure does not come from losing, but from not trying. The lads really did try their hardest. Each member of the team became a better player in defeat.

Man of the Match

This is a really tough call this week. In the forwards, Wood, Rocks and Taziker all made some bulldozing runs, Langton and Brown made nuisances of themselves at the breakdown and around the pitch.

In the backs Kirton played his usually strong game, unfortunate to have been dropped from the first team, Hall and Baker showed glimpses of their class.

This week the award goes to returning Nautical College lad, Full Back Jamie Hearne. He made some big important tackles, carried strongly and linked well with his fellow backs.

The Weekly Sam Pook Report

Sam shows steady improvement in his performances and is remarkably getting good at line outs.... well... in training. Devon Brown gave young Mr Pook a master class on how to throw in. Sam picked up a try after good work from his fellow forwards. Unfortunately he dislocated his shoulder whilst placing the ball, earning himself the Prestigious Dick of the Day Award.

Pooky's Weekly Bad Joke

A rugby player went to the doctor one day and said: “I’ve just been playing rugby and when I got back I found that when I touched my legs, my arms, my head, my tummy and everywhere else, it really hurt.”
So the doctor said: “You’ve broken your finger.”

Next Week

Fleetwood will be at home to Southport. Another tricky fixture is expected, so do please come down and support the boys!
2.15 KO Melbourne Avenue.

Team: 15. Hearne; 14. Kilburn; 13. Baker; 12. Hall; 11. Birks; 10. Pearce; 9. Kirton; 1. Wood; 2. Pook; 3. Foden; 4. Taziker; 5. Rocks; 6. Brown; 7. Stelfox; 8. Langton; 16. O'Hara; 17. Craine; 18. Buzza.

Last Week

Unfortunately, I wasn't with the boys last week. There was a lack of players for a whole host of reasons and Manager Buzza did all he could to field two teams at home last week. The attitude shown by some of the boys is not acceptable. Please sort yourselves out.

From what I gather the twos, did not have a good day at the office as they slumped to a 66 nil defeat against a very good Penrith side.