Lilley puts Fleet in the pink

Recent games between the two sides have been close and eventful, often up to the final whistle. This game proved to be the same, but was fractious, bad tempered and undisciplined with both sides guilty of indiscretions. Our former National Panel referee, Rob Sheard had a good game and had both teams taken his advice and decisions without question, more players would have stayed on the pitch.

Aldwinians started the game playing with the wind and an early penalty for not releasing was converted to give the home side an early lead. 3-0. Fleetwood soon hit back. After going through the phases a good break by Tom Evans put Ryan Hargreaves into the corner. Conversion missed 3-5. A further penalty converted by Aldwinians was followed by their try. A short throw to the front of the lineout was caught cleanly and the try scored on the right hand wing. The difficult conversion was successful and the home side was in a commanding but deserved 13-5 lead. Fleet hit back quickly. A quick tap penalty by James Doherty put Joe Kirton in for a try in the left hand corner. Again the difficult conversion was missed. The last 10 minutes of the half saw both teams lose players. First the Aldwinians prop received a yellow card for a high tackle. Then a moment of madness from Jordan Brocklehurst saw a yellow for a no arms tackle turn to red for backchatting the referee. Almost immediately Harrison Lumb followed for a 10 minute rest for not keeping his opinions to himself. Aldwinians punished Fleetwood’s indiscretions with two further penalties to end the half with a healthy 19-12 lead.

The second half saw Fleetwood take a bit more control with half backs Doherty and Evans using their experience and the wind to pen Aldwinians into their own half for long periods. From a period of pressure Fleet managed to get the ball to Joe Sharratt who squeezed over in the right hand corner to reduce the deficit to 19-15. Although Fleetwood continued to press it looked like the numerical difference was beginning to tell. A melee on the half way line saw a number of punches thrown by both sides. The referee had to intervene and after a number of lectures to individuals and both teams collectively gave yellow cards to a player from each side. With time running out the home side were pressing on the Fleetwood line when a pitch length break by Tom Evans, carried on by Joe Kirton and James Doherty finished with a ruck on Aldwinians 5 metre line. Aldwinians had scrambled back in defence when the ball came out to 2nd Row, James Lilley was standing in the centre berth. Looking up he saw his path to the line was blocked but put in a deft kick that Johnny Wilkinson would have been proud of. The ball crossed the try line and full back Scott Hardie had only to put downward pressure on the ball for a last gasp, bonus point winning try. 19-20 final score.

For displaying skill that most forwards do not possess, James was awarded Fleetwood’s Man of the Match. The result was a little harsh on Aldwinians who only got 1 league point from this encounter. Young scrum half Daniel Martin had a superb game for the home side, kicking 4 penalties and a touchline conversion. His speed and distribution were impeccable. He is easily the best young scrum half I have seen this season.

Fleetwood need to learn a lesson from this performance. They must each take personal responsibility for their own actions and learn that you NEVER give backchat to the referee.

Report by Steve Doherty