No Silva lining for 2nds

Fleetwood fielded a re-shuffled side with several injuries and skipper Ricky Newton on first team duty. Scott Richardson playing in the unfamiliar role of scrum half made some probing kicks in the early exchanges. Rossendale applied pressure on the Fleetwood forwards and were very powerful in the scrum. The Fleetwood defence held firm though until the visitors left winger crossed in the corner despite what seemed like a blatant knock-on after 20 mins. 0-5.
Fleet responded well and always looked dangerous when they moved the ball wide. Centres Orwin and Silva made incisive breaks receiving good service from Bamber at fly-half. It was Silva who crossed the line to level the scores, Scott Richardson adding the extras. The game was still in the balance though just before half time a missed tackle and a slick off-load by the Rossendale centre allowed their winger to sprint over for a converted try to give a half-time score of 7-12.
Fleet started the second half brightly. Full-back Jack Crompton made good ground as did Dan Orwin before Paul Bamber put in a deft chip to the corner.
Winger Luke Wilson followed up and ran in for a good try converted by Richardson to retore Fleet’s lead at 14-12. This was to be Fleet’s last score however and the dominance of the visitors pack began to tell. Despite the efforts of Henry Turner and the rest of the Fleetwood pack they were not able to withstand the pressure and conceded a pushover try. With one of the Fleetwood props injured they may have been best advised to go to uncontested scrums which would have been in their favour. However Steve Buzza was introduced to the action from the third team pitch and normal scrimmaging continued. Fleet were kept under pressure in the final quarter and conceded 2 further tries after the home side failed to clear their lines with some poor kicking options.

Report by Ian Cameron