Fylde retain Lancashire Cup

For the second year in a row Fylde were too strong for Hoppers and emerged victorious in the John Burgess Lancashire Cup Final. Hoppers were second best for most of the contest and were lucky to be in the game for as long as they were. While chances for the host were few and far between they can take pride in the effort given, especially in defence as they held out a rampaging Fylde.

Fylde dominated the majority of the game and the possession stats at half time must have been in the region of 90% to the visitors. This was helped by a stiff breeze but the visitors’ tactics were good and they used the elements to their advantage pinning Hoppers back deep into their own half for much of the half. They could, and probably should, have taken the lead on several occasions in the opening quarter. After being camped inside the Hoppers 22 for much of the time they wasted plenty of chances to take the lead as simple overlaps were not taken as players tried to muscle their way through the resolute Hoppers defence instead of using the numbers available. Hoppers themselves were guilty of not making more of their limited time in possession and were all too happy to kick the ball away and hand the incentive back to Fylde.

Eventually the persistent pressure took its toll on the Hoppers defence and Fylde got the first points of the game. The driving maul that Fylde had used to great effect throughout the game proved to be the catalyst and second row Alistair Atkinson emerged from a pile of bodies to claim the try.

Things went from bad to worse for Hoppers as they had Chris Stone sin binned, as he fell victim to the sheer number of penalties awarded in the home 22. Fylde went straight onto the attack and were rewarded with their second try as prop Alan Holmes picked up from a ruck close to the try line and powered his way over from close range.

Hoppers miraculously got themselves back into the game in controversial circumstances as they finally decided to keep the ball in hand and ran straight at the heart of the Fylde defence. When the ball was moved out to the wing Matt Hughes was felled by an illegal high tackle, which resulted in a yellow card for John Embleton but more surprisingly was the awarding of a penalty try. Hughes was clear and had support of team-mates, with little Fylde defence to speak of but the decision was queried by some sections of the crowd. Nick Smith slotted the conversion and the sides went into the break with Fylde leading 10-7.

Hoppers had more possession and territory in the second half but were not able to make an impression on the scoreboard. Credit must go to Fylde for some solid defence but people will be questioning some of the decision making as Hoppers turned down chances to kick for goal and opted instead to try their luck at line-outs and scrums against a far superior Fylde pack. The visitors held strong from several line-outs close to their try line and eventually managed to steal the ball and relieve all pressure.

Fylde managed to extend their lead midway through the half when Captain Sam Beaumont smashed his way over from close range after the visitors were camped on the Hoppers try line for several minutes.
Fylde were worthy winners and won in a manner much more convincingly than the score line suggests. They dominated the set piece and controlled the game in key areas on route to comfortably retaining the Cup.