New Year... Too Much Christmas Turkey

Second String Suffer A Cricket Score In The First Game Of 2019 Despite Spirited Performance

The first week back in January is always tough. The weather is cold, and player participation interest is low after the Xmas/ New Year break. With players having to work, injuries, family commitments and the Nautical College not reconvening until the week after, all three teams were scratching around for a team this week.

The second team did manage to go into their away game at Tarleton with a full 15, which included George Benson and Ant Bowker making their second team debuts.

The game started as it went on. Fleetwood took the kick off to Tarleton, they dealt with the oncoming charge down, shipped the ball through the hands, slipped through a tackle to score the try.

The hosts were relentless at this racking up the points. The only reprieve in the first half, was a period where Fleetwood played some good tight forward orientated rugby. 'Fleet won a scrum within Tarleton's 22, the scrum being the only department that Fleetwood were dominating their opponents, No. 8 Mike Jackson peeled off and clattered into several defenders, before going down he managed to get the offload off to man mountain Stephen Buzza who creamed another couple of would be tacklers to get over the line to score and create a massive divot in the grass where he landed. Jackson with the conversion.

That was it for Fleetwood's contribution to the first half.

The second half wasn't much better. Fleetwood's sole points came from a Mike Jackson Penalty. Taking it from about 30m out, it didn't look like it was going to quite make it as it was dipping fast, the ball struck the cross bar, bouncing up in the air and over the bar.

Full Time: 101 - 10.

Scorers

Tries: Buzza.
Conversions: Jackson.
Penalties: Jackson.

This was still a spirited performance by a makeshift side containing debutantes and lads playing out of position. Fleetwood were beaten on the day by a well drilled, organised team. More time and a higher attendance is required at training to allow us to compete with teams like this.

Man of The Match

Our hosts this week named Stephen Buzza MOTM this week. He probably edged it for his try, but deserved it for his overwhelming win in the boat race.

The Weekly Sam Pook Report

Sam was hiding on a boat again this week, probably singing the Village People's In The Navy at the top of his lungs.

Next Week

Fleetwood host League leaders Colne & Nelson next in what promises to be another tough game. 2.15 ko.

Squad: 15. Bowker; 14. Kilburn; 13. Hargreaves; 12. Gornall; 11. Obiorah; 10. Amor; 9. Howe; 1. O'Hara; 2. Heer; 3. Foden; 4. Delaney; 5. Buzza; 6. Benson; 7. Blunn; 8. Jackson.