1st XV
Matches
Sat 29 Oct 2016  ·  North Lancs & Cumbria
Hawcoat Park
34
10
Fleetwood RUFC
1st XV
Tries: K BowlingConversions: S RichardsonPenalties: S Richardson

Match Preview

tom evans28 Oct 2016 - 15:05
Share via
FacebookX
https://www.fleetwoodrugby.com

Fleetwood travel to mid-table Hawcourt Park this Saturday looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the Lancs/North Cumbria campaign.

It's consecutive away trips for Steve Woodburn's men following victory at promoted Trafford MV and said a good first period allowed him to change the line-up for the final 40 minutes.

"Last Saturday was a good day-out for us. We play well at home and I challenged the boys to carry that form away and we've been doing just that. That was certainly the case in the first half when our pressure effectively put the game beyond them at the break with a 25-point lead.  
 
"Trafford have run plenty of teams close this season and I was expecting a tougher battle in the middle of the park. But our forwards played exceptionally well and applied pressure from the opening whistle.  
 
"That meant we were able to switch things around with Danny Tomlinson involved again and Chris Jones having a decent run after time on the bench. It was important to make the most of the situation and allow vital game-time around the squad. They all slotted in really well and responded to my half-time instruction to open up the game."  
 
"We did just that and made plenty of line breaks but we weren't composed in the follow-up. Otherwise it would have been a score to make others in the league to sit up and take notice. Saying that we used the time wisely," added Woodburn. 
 
Woodburn has turned his attention to changing styles of play brought by the seasonal deteriation in weather and pitches.

"Work continues on adapting our game to the changing weather conditions as opposed to our running game in the sunshine. The winter months demand a different approach and we already have an eye on that situation. A number of teams may see that as our weak point but our preparations have already started."  
 
The player/coach is wary of a Hawcourt backlash following a heavy defeat to Cumbrian rivals Aspatria last week.

"It will be a tough trip to Hawcourt Park on Saturday. They are either strong or under-power depending on the way shifts fall in the Barrow shipyards. I believe they will be strong this weekend. They have a big forward set and it won't be easy.  
 
"Confidence and putting teams under pressure continues to be my message. If we do that we are halfway there and I'll be demanding the same this weekend."

Fleetwood 2nd XV host Leigh at Melbourne Avenue on Saturday whilst the 3rd's travel to Leyland Warriors. 

By Derick Thomas, Clean Sheet Media

Hawcoat Park RUFC

Hawcoat Park RUFC

Hawcoat Lane
Barrow-in-Furness
Cumbria
LA14 4HF

View with google maps

North Lancs & Cumbria Fixtures

Sat 29 Oct 2016KO: 15:00
Bolton
27
Trafford MV
0
Sat 29 Oct 2016KO: 15:00
De La Salle
17
Aldwinians
13
Sat 29 Oct 2016KO: 15:00
Littleborough
25
Oldham
12
Sat 29 Oct 2016KO: 15:00
Silloth
5
Carlisle
48
Sat 29 Oct 2016KO: 15:00
Upper Eden
33
Aspatria
30
Sat 29 Oct 2016KO: 15:00
Wigton
31
Workington
16

Match details

Match date

Sat 29 Oct 2016

Kickoff

15:00

Meet time

11:45

Competition

North Lancs & Cumbria

League position

2
Fleetwood
7
Hawcoat Park
Team overview
Further reading