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Win vital to keep play-off hopes alive
Fylde's arithmetic chances of securing a play-off place in N3N depend on odds-on favourites Darlington Mowden Park losing at Macclesfield on Saturday while they themselves win at the very durable and tough Hull Ionians.
Fylde first team coach Mark Nelson maintains that his squad will keep going until 'the fat lady sings'.
At any rate, Fylde will be hoping to extend their six league match unbeaten run at Brantingham Park on Saturday.
Fylde will remember from their 17-10 win at the Woodlands in December just how difficult it is to overcome Ionians who have a quite extraordinary record of winning or losing games this season by a few points.
For instance, their last three games have finished with two single point defeats (at Tynedale and at home to 'Hoppers) and a one point win, at home to Yorkshire neighbours Beverley.
Ionians had a good first third of the season and were placed handily in 4th spot in late November. They then went off the rails with five defeats in six games before recovering their form somewhat in recent weeks. They are currently in 9th position in the division.
Fylde completed a handsome double over Ionians last season, with a 29-0 win in the opening game of the campaign and a superb 48-19 triumph at Brantingham Park on the final Saturday.
Although he drew a blank against them at the Woodlands in December, Ionians would be excused for having nightmares about Fylde winger Nick Royle as he scored eight tries against them in the previous three matches between the clubs.
Hull Ionians are led by player coach Mick Watson, the ex-Wakefield lock/backrower who also had Premiership experience with London Scottish. He's been involved with the club since their promotion to the national leagues in the 2005/6 season and has been one of the architects of the rise of the club situated on the edge of a rugby league dominated city.
The Brantingham Park club substantially rebuilt their squad during the summer. They brought in the experienced duo of hooker Carl Mortimer and lock Richard Hill from Halifax to strengthen their pack.
Other local players joining have been fly-half Chris Quinn (ex-Cleckheaton) and centre Travis Plumridge (Driffield).
From slightly further afield is Cumbrian county utility back Sean Hannah (ex-Manchester & Blaydon) and 23-year old lock Chris Fores (Nottingham). Another player who made his debut this season is the wonderfully named prop Albert Thundercliffe.
Fly-half or fullback James Ferguson is 9th in N3N top kickers with 148 points and a 67 per cent success rate.
Ionians have a strong pack including the almost ever present prop Chris Starling and the accomplished flankers Richard Wigham (ex-Wakefield & Orrell) and Rob Kench. Their competent backline includes scrum-half James Greene, fly-half or fullback Karl Birch, and dangerous wingers Joe Donkin and Garry Stephenson.
Fylde will run injury checks on a number of players including Roger Banks, Nick King, Dave Wilks, Craig Aikman, Neil Hunter & Mike Waywell.
9:15am Wednesday 26th March 2008
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