One Step Closer To Survival

With a reshuffled team, the second string took to field looking for an elusive win, in an effort to secure survival in the league.

Fleetwood started the brighter and more alert team as No. 8 Scott Richardson spotted a gap in the away defence to score.

Immediately though, West Park struck back with an early wake up call to even up the scores. Slight controversy as the St Helen's man placed the ball twice, once before the line, once over the line.

Fleet took the conceding of the try well as young winger Joe Kirton broke off to score and Richardson got himself over the line again for his second.

There were some injuries in the first half as Second Row Holden went off with a shoulder injury and Prop Dobbie suffered a nasty gash just above his eye.

The Home side continued to build the pressure on the visitors as Skipper Foden scored from close range after good hard work from the forwards.

Canadian import Rowell was next on the score sheet as he weaved his way around the defensive line to score in the corner. The half finished on another high, Richardson, closing in on his third was denied by a high tackle. This led to the official declaring a penalty try for the home side.

Half Time: 38-5

After the longest first half in living memory, the call was made for more of the same, not to stop the pressure. Which is exactly what happened. After good flowing rugby, Jack Brocklehurst came out top to score.

Soon afterwards Richardson completed his hat-trick after winning the ball back in his on half to sprint past West Park to get over the line.

Discipline started being an issue, after several warnings from the official, West Park had a player sent to bin, as was George Orry.

The backs soon decided that they wanted to get in on the fun, with Evans and Coultas getting on the score sheet after good attacking plays.

Despite losing badly, credit has to be given to West Park, they stuck it out to the bitter end and managed to get over the whitewash. Cries off being held up from the home players led to Pete Benny being sent to the bin for the remainder of the game.

George Orry came back on after his 10 minute breather to make amends as he boshed a few defenders to score. Orry then converted his own try to complete the game.

Full Time: 69-12

Tries: Richardson (3); Kirton; Foden; Rowell; Brocklehurst; Evans; Coultas; Orry: Penalty.
Conversions: Pearce (5); Orry.

Man Of The Match

There was some very good performances from all the lads, but their was a standout, Scott Richardson. Three tries and being such a nuisance around the breakdown and in attack.

The Weekly Sam Pook Report

Sam had a fairly decent game. Lineout still not perfected just yet. But he has improved a lot since the start of the season. Still has terrible jokes though.

Joe Birks

Joe caused quite the stir on Saturday. He missed the meet time and wasn't contactable to see where he was. This caused headaches as we had to rotate the squad around to accommodate his absence. Captain Foden received a text at 3.25 saying that he had just woken up and would be there as soon as possible. This was helpful as the game had been playing for the last 25 minutes and everyone being on the pitch at the time.

Birks eventually turned up after half time. An apology to the team and a decent explanation would be nice Joseph.

Next Week

Next week Fleetwood host Vale of Lune at Melbourne Avenue. 3pm KO. All welcome to come down to support the lads!

Squad: 15: Rowell; 14. Ogden; 13. Coultas; 12. Evans; 11. Kirton; 10. Woodburn; 9. Pearce; 1. Foden; 2. Pook; 3. Dobbie; 4. Holden; 5. Benny; 6. Brocklehurst; 7. Barnes; 8. Richardson; 16. Brocklehurst; 17. Orry; 18. Birks.