Fylde 9 Harrogate 14

1:30pm Wednesday 9th January 2008

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Fylde started 2008 much as they began 2007 - following a long winning run by losing a vital game in which they put in an extremely disappointing performance.

After a promising first 25 minutes in which the home side were very unfortunate not to score at least a couple of tries, Harrogate battled back and scored two smart tries either side of the half-time break.

Whilst two 2nd half John Armstrong penalties reduced the deficit, Fylde couldn't find a way to penetrate a very sound 'Gate defence and the visitors held on for a deserved win.

Subsequent news from Morley about 2nd placed Leicester Lions' defeat simply highlighted the opportunity that Fylde had wasted to press for a play-off position.

In the 'snakes and ladders' of N3N they slipped from 3rd to 7th in consequence. The solitary losing bonus point was scant consolation.

But it started off in a very promising way for the home side albeit they were playing the first period into a strong diagonal breeze.

They camped inside the Harrogate half for much of the first thirty minutes, controlling the game with sustained forward dominance.

When a Harrogate player strayed offside John Armstrong converted an early penalty to give his side a 3-0 lead after 5 minutes.

He then chipped beautifully over the retreating 'Gate defence and the ball bounced teasingly for Oli Brennand as he broke clear.

But the ball died and leading N3N try scorer Brennand knocked on a difficult chance with the line at his mercy.

Ten minutes later centre David Wiseman neatly picked up a loose ball midfield 30 metres out from the Harrogate and broke clear.

Instead of trusting his own pace he passed to winger Nick Royle who was swallowed up by the energetic and determined Harrogate defence and an excellent chance went begging.

Hooker Alan Holmes was by now struggling with a back injury. On 35 minutes Harrogate made one of their few sorties into Fylde territory - and a crucial moment it turned out to be.

Left winger Daniel Venn burst through some powder puff Fylde midfield tackling and wove his way through for a very good try.

Fly-half Nick Wainwright converted from in front of the posts and Harrogate had a surprising and undeserved lead. Fylde's Holmes withdrew from the fray and was replaced by Chris Lowden.

The Fylde forwards were having considerable success with driving mauls and a couple were thwarted by desperate last minute defence near the Harrogate line.

Deep into injury time sustained Fylde attack near the 'Gate line was stopped by loosehead prop Paul Dobson infringing yet again and referee Paul Kimber yellow carded him.

Fylde opted for a scrummage but couldn't make their one man advantage pay off. Somehow the brave Harrogate defence held out and a great opportunity had been missed.

The 2nd half was a catalogue of Fylde mistakes and wrong options, despite having the benefit of the breeze.

On 47 minutes, with Harrogate still down to 14 men, the visitors scored another excellent converted try.

Influential no 8 Ryan Peacey set up a good backs move which ended with centre Luke Bramble bursting along the right touchline before cutting in for another try under the posts. Wainwright again converted and his side had a clear 14-3 lead.

With Fylde's backline still malfunctioning badly, the home side continued to try to force the game through their forwards.

Dylan O'Grady replaced Dan Bowman in the backrow on 50 minutes.

But as the match progressed, this became less and less effective against the durable Harrogate pack and a redoubtable defence, and they were sucked into a war of attrition.

Nevertheless, Fylde took the game to their opponents and earned penalties on 60 & 72 minutes, neatly converted by Armstrong.

Although they weren't convincing at any stage during the game, at only 9-14 down and with ten minutes to play then the game still looked winnable.

But their final efforts were as frustrating as much that had preceded them and the game drifted towards a by now predictable and deserved Harrogate win.

Harrogate proved, yet again, to be one of Fylde's most troublesome bogey sides. This was their eighth defeat out of the last ten games played against the Yorkshire club, including an equally unsatisfactory performance at Claro Road earlier this season.

More importantly, Fylde missed a glorious opportunity to pressurise 2nd placed Leicester Lions who lost surprisingly at Morley.

This was doubly disappointing as one of the best crowds of the season witnessed the disappointing defeat.

The Fylde squad have a free Saturday ahead to ponder the lessons of this defeat and the coaching staff will no doubt be making clear their expectations of the players in the matches at Caldy a week on Saturday and at home against a resurgent Darlington Mowden Park on 26th January.