Back
1st XV Match Report
David Woodcock26 Nov 2017 - 17:59
Share via
FLEETWOOD LOSE EXCITING THRILLER
Trafford MV 34-29 Fleetwood
On a cold windy afternoon Fleetwood arrived at Finny Bank Road with a strong squad to take on the Metrovites. A lively start to proceedings witnessed prop Scott Dobbie and the returning centre Zak Coultas make hard yards with ball in hand. However, Trafford capitalised on poor ball retention which saw them attack the visitors with gusto. A penalty was awarded to Trafford which they slotted home as a Fleet player was adjudged to not roll away from the ruck area, 3-0 down. Although the midfield area was where most of the action was, Fleet were finding some success in the wider channels, young nautical boy Harry Baker showed the fans his hot pace by scoring a try in the far corner, extras added by Scott Richardson, 3-7 to the visitors. Not wanting to be outdone Trafford hit back almost immediately with a well worked try finished by the winger with conversion making it 10-7. Another break up field by Coultas almost reaped some reward, however he was denied by good tackling. The game was evenly poised with both teams creating chances but mistakes were creeping in. Not so in the next Green and Gold attack, fly half Karl Bowling showed great handling to support Coultas who in turn fed a hungry Kris Phillips who beat 3 defenders to score a neat try, again Richardson adding the conversion, 10-14 to Fleet. Again, Trafford wasted no time in hitting back straight up the middle of the field, the attacker crossed the whitewash untouched, 17-14 down. Like a pair of boxers trading blows Fleet bounced back with another try for wingman Baker, making it 17-22 at the break- what a half of rugby! Next it was Trafford who showed they were keen to increase their score- not surprisingly they opted for yet another drive down the middle which yielded a try, with the conversion added took the score to 24-22. By now Fleet were having lots of defending to do, Trafford had the visitors pinned in the 22, the referee was awarding penalties for indiscretion at the scrum. Unfortunately Canadian Gavin Rowell was dismissed for 10 minutes after falling foul at the scrum. Although down to 14 men, stand in scrum half Matt Larkin increased his sides tempo and went on the attack, forwards and backs combining well saw Mike Kelly, Scott Richardson, James Lilley and Ricky Newton all making crucial carries forward. The pressure mounted and a penalty awarded to the visitors was missed. However, 2 minutes later Richardson offloaded to Kelly who danced his way through the Trafford defence before neatly off-loading to Rob Brookfield who crashed over to score a try, conversion despatched 24-29. With 12 minutes left on the clock Trafford refused to give up- they did what they had done all day attack in numbers which saw them score another try with conversion added, 31-29. Although Fleet rallied in the last few minutes the last say in the game was a penalty scored by Trafford making a final score of 34-29.
Overall, Fleet could consider themselves unlucky not to have secured a victory as there was plenty of positives to take forward. From a man of the match perspective a number of players starred, backs wise Bowling, Coultas and Kelly functioned well whilst in the pack Richardson and Lilley were industrious. That said the accolade this week goes to Baker for his well taken brace of tries. Next week Fleetwood welcome top of the table Aspatria to Melbourne Avenue hoping to cause an upset.
LC/DJ
On a cold windy afternoon Fleetwood arrived at Finny Bank Road with a strong squad to take on the Metrovites. A lively start to proceedings witnessed prop Scott Dobbie and the returning centre Zak Coultas make hard yards with ball in hand. However, Trafford capitalised on poor ball retention which saw them attack the visitors with gusto. A penalty was awarded to Trafford which they slotted home as a Fleet player was adjudged to not roll away from the ruck area, 3-0 down. Although the midfield area was where most of the action was, Fleet were finding some success in the wider channels, young nautical boy Harry Baker showed the fans his hot pace by scoring a try in the far corner, extras added by Scott Richardson, 3-7 to the visitors. Not wanting to be outdone Trafford hit back almost immediately with a well worked try finished by the winger with conversion making it 10-7. Another break up field by Coultas almost reaped some reward, however he was denied by good tackling. The game was evenly poised with both teams creating chances but mistakes were creeping in. Not so in the next Green and Gold attack, fly half Karl Bowling showed great handling to support Coultas who in turn fed a hungry Kris Phillips who beat 3 defenders to score a neat try, again Richardson adding the conversion, 10-14 to Fleet. Again, Trafford wasted no time in hitting back straight up the middle of the field, the attacker crossed the whitewash untouched, 17-14 down. Like a pair of boxers trading blows Fleet bounced back with another try for wingman Baker, making it 17-22 at the break- what a half of rugby! Next it was Trafford who showed they were keen to increase their score- not surprisingly they opted for yet another drive down the middle which yielded a try, with the conversion added took the score to 24-22. By now Fleet were having lots of defending to do, Trafford had the visitors pinned in the 22, the referee was awarding penalties for indiscretion at the scrum. Unfortunately Canadian Gavin Rowell was dismissed for 10 minutes after falling foul at the scrum. Although down to 14 men, stand in scrum half Matt Larkin increased his sides tempo and went on the attack, forwards and backs combining well saw Mike Kelly, Scott Richardson, James Lilley and Ricky Newton all making crucial carries forward. The pressure mounted and a penalty awarded to the visitors was missed. However, 2 minutes later Richardson offloaded to Kelly who danced his way through the Trafford defence before neatly off-loading to Rob Brookfield who crashed over to score a try, conversion despatched 24-29. With 12 minutes left on the clock Trafford refused to give up- they did what they had done all day attack in numbers which saw them score another try with conversion added, 31-29. Although Fleet rallied in the last few minutes the last say in the game was a penalty scored by Trafford making a final score of 34-29.
Overall, Fleet could consider themselves unlucky not to have secured a victory as there was plenty of positives to take forward. From a man of the match perspective a number of players starred, backs wise Bowling, Coultas and Kelly functioned well whilst in the pack Richardson and Lilley were industrious. That said the accolade this week goes to Baker for his well taken brace of tries. Next week Fleetwood welcome top of the table Aspatria to Melbourne Avenue hoping to cause an upset.
LC/DJ
Further reading