Hoppers denied at the death

Preston Grasshoppers Head Coach Dave Baldwin was “pleased with his side’s performance but disappointed not to get a more out of the game.” With just a couple of minutes remaining Mike Waywell burst through the home defence to snatch victory and secure all five points for Fylde.

Hoppers got off to a dream start with a try inside two minutes, Mark Edwards pin point cross kick was well collected by Matt Hughes who touched down in the corner. Fylde responded immediately and took the lead after Mark Stevenson benefited from a great break from back row partner Steve McGinnis, Steve Collins added the extras.

Fylde extended their lead with Waywell’s first try; they took a quick tap and got behind the scrambling defence allowing Waywell to cut inside and show good strength to score.

Hoppers dug deep and muscled their way back into the game, narrowing the gap with an Edwards penalty, but couldn’t capitalize on their territory even when Fylde were reduced to 13 men when Thomas Lavelle and Nick King were sin binned in quick succession and the sides went into the half with Fylde enjoying a slender 12-8 lead.

The second half started in the same high tempo fashion as both teams looked to run from deep and keep the ball alive. Hoppers took the lead when Matt Hughes latched onto a loose pass just outside his own 22; he sprinted down the touchline and chipped through for Edwards to ground in goal before cover could arrive. Once again the lead only lasted a couple of minutes as Fylde regained control with a Collins penalty.

Fylde stretched the lead, as they were able to quickly move the ball from a turn over and took advantage of there additional numbers to put wing Callum McShane in at the corner.

Dominic Moon’s converted try with ten minutes to go leveled the scores but Fylde were awarded a dubious scrum on half way and Waywell had too much pace for the tiring defence to sprint clear.

Baldwin commented on the game, saying it was a “good expansive contest in which both teams looked likely to score. I am pleased with the way we fronted up and stuck to an outstanding Fylde team. We started to look tire at the end and Fylde were able to take advantage of that but I am happy with the intensity and commitment shown.”