Fleetwood Washed Out

A miserable wet and wild day was always going to be a bad start, but with players crying off Saturday morning, this was not going to be an easy day at the office.

I would like to thank the lads that did show up and played in those horrendous conditions, their commitment has been noticed.

Fleetwood started with their usual sluggish start, this time mostly due to a lack of enthusiasm to warm up in the freezing rain and a car full of Nautical lads that ended up in Southport first, before turning around once learning of their mistake.

Fleetwood did have spells of prominence in the first half and there were a few positives, such as the forwards getting around the pitch in numbers and Pearce calling for when he wanted to get his backs involved. Resolute defending kept West Park at bay for the majority of the first half, but due to the conditions, even short passing almost seemed impossible, and West Park pounced and scored twice from knocked on loose ball. Park adding a third with a breakaway try.

At half time, Fleetwood had to ring in the changes due to injuries, which led to lads having to play out of position and out of comfort zones. Initially this didn't seem to affect Fleetwood as they took the game to West Park with powerful pick and goes and short balls off the scrum half with the forwards. The likes of Wood, Watson, Brocklehurst and Langton all making the hard yards.

Fleetwood were dominating the scrum and all general aspects of forward play by this point, and got their just rewards when Chris Jones bulldozed himself over the line, after a well won scrum. Conversion missed, not judging in this weather.

The away side tried their hardest to get on the score sheet again, but the conditions and good defending stopped them from doing so. Fleet seemed to be content to let the game be over with and get back in the warmth for a shower and a beer, but Park had other ideas, feeding on a tired and drenched Fleetwood defence line to score two further tries in the dying minutes.

FT 29 - 5

In the end the score may have flattered West Park a little, but a big thank you to the lads that turned up and played. Especially to Ben Swindlehurst, who had played a full game earlier that afternoon.

The Weekly Sam Pook Report

This week Sam managed to break his nose (Didn't improve his looks) and made a bit of a fool of himself on the bus home. His lineouts were still a little sloppy, but I'll let him off this week due to the weather.

Man of the Match

Difficult choice this week, everyone who put a shirt on played their part and put in a decent shift. I've decided to go with Nautical Lad Ben Langton, who was like a rash all over the place at the breakdown.

Next Week Fleetwood are away to Bolton.

Squad: 15. Moore; 14. Betty; 13. Hall; 12. Jones; 11. Wilson; 10. Pearce; 9. O'Driscoll; 1. Wood; 2. Pook; 3. Foden; 4. Watson; 5. Rocks; 6. Brocklehurst; 7. Langton; 8. Jackson; 16. Gregson; 17. Beavers; 18. Swindlehurst.

William "John" Seymour

8th May 1956 - 13th Oct 2017

It is with a heavy heart that I have to type this, Club volunteer, Father, Husband, Friend, William "John" Seymour, sadly passed away on the 13th October 2017, age 61.

One of the most genuine people you would like to meet, who always had the time to sit down and have a chat about anything. A kind, honest and intelligent man.

John had been an active member of the club, regularly volunteering his time throughout the years with both the Mini Junior and Senior sections of the club. In more recent times, John has been helping out on match days with the 2nd team, running the line and helping with the kit and equipment on match days, going to every away game to cheer on the lads, wind rain or sunshine, always with a smile on his face. During this time, John became friends with a lot of the boys, former 2nd team manager Dan Jefferson and Sports Therapist Vicky Birkett.

I would like to extend deepest condolences on behalf of the 2nd team to John's family, in particular Karen, Rick, Alex, George and Marc on their recent loss.

Top Bloke, Top Linesman. R.I.P John.

John's funeral will be held at the Carelton Crematorium Friday 3rd November at 2pm (Stocks Lane, Blackpool, FY6 7QS).
There will be a gathering afterwards at Fleetwood Rugby Club to celebrate his life (Melbourne Avenue, Fleetwood, FY7 8AY).
The family would like to encourage anybody who knew John to come and share a story/ say goodbye/ pay your respects with his family.