Away day Blues for the Gold and Green

A strong team on paper was not reflected on the pitch as despite Fleet having contested the early exchanges well from the first whistle, a series of fumbles in our own 22 allowed the Hoppers attacker to pounce scoring and converting, 7-0 down with only 5 minutes gone.
The next few phases of play saw many a knock on from both teams with the final pass going to ground, a further try was conceded and conversion converted, 14-0 down. That said the Fleet forwards were dominating the set pieces, scrummaging was particularly strong and lineout was functioning well and that resulted in a penalty despatched by fly half Gornall, 14-3 down. What should have been a turning point in the game only provoked Hoppers to respond, poor discipline allowed us to concede a penalty, 17-3 down. By now frustration was growing as lots of possession was resulting in nothing of note, although the fleet footed scrum half Wilson made an excellent break jinking his way round the defence and romping down the line to score under the posts. The conversion was charged down, however the referee ruled that the player was too early and duly awarded a penalty, again slotted by Gornall, 17-11 down. For most impartial spectators this should have allowed Fleet to produce more points but again poor discipline at a lineout resulted in a free kick to Hoppers. The execution of the free kick caught Fleet off guard, the Hoppers second row charged straight down the pitch evading 3 would be tacklers to score under the sticks, with the extras added 24-11 down. Half time.

With a mountain to climb Fleet increased the tempo and intensity testing the Hoppers defence, full back Jones was carrying well and the back row were making hard yards both no.8 Smith and returning seadog Harrison were prominent. Could the great escape be on? The centre pairing of Edwards and army man Harland was beginning to function as Fleet became more dominant, eventually it was Edwards who crashed over the try line to score, 24-16 down, conversion missed. Fleet continued to press but the theme of the day continued, poor handling coupled with taking the wrong decision and resolute defending from Hoppers further points came to nothing. Gornall was able to slot another penalty, 24-19 down. The last few minutes of play saw man of the match Jones nearly grab a late try only to spill the ball on the line.

After the final whistle Manager Jefferson reflected with his troops on how the game had slipped away in the first half and the need to build on the positives from the second half display.

A really tough task awaits next week as Fleet host the only remaining unbeaten team in the league, Kirkby Lonsdale.

Report from Dan Jefferson