East Lancs Demolition Derby

After last week's good performance against Tarleton, 'Fleet were looking forward to the short trip to newly promoted Colne & Nelson. However, poor availability of numbers this week for all 3 teams led to the third team game having to be conceded. This led to the twos taking a nearly full contingent players into their away game.

Despite this, Fleetwood took the kick off and took the game straight to Colne. Unfortunately though, after a period of sustained pressure, Fleetwood failed to score. This allowed the home side to grow their confidence, which led to them drawing first blood and scoring.

Like sharks with blood lust, Colne and Nelson repeatedly ran the away side's back line ragged, piling on the points.

A small glimmer of hope occurred when Fleetwood had a rare attack from the ensuing line out. Driving desperately forward towards the line, 'Fleet thought they had scored when the 'professional on a boat hide and seek champion' appeared to have placed the ball down over the line. The official decided not to award the score, due to the totally unbiased home touch judge declaring that it had gone into touch.

Spurred on by this, minutes later Fleetwood replayed the exact same play, with a different result as Skipper Foden managed to stretch over the line to place the ball, despite calls from the home defenders for being held up. Howe with the conversion. With that the half time whistle went.

The half time team talk was simple, keep your heads up, enjoy playing the game and learn from it. Which was achieved as the away side went out and enjoyed the final half.

The high point of the half came when Fleetwood managed to get over the line again to score. Strong pick and goes from Foden, Bridges and Gregson, allowed the latter to barge his way over the line to score. Conversion missed. (Disputed, the referee had originally counted it, but was then told by his assessor after the game that it didn't count. Not that it made much difference to the scoreline.)

Full Time: 78 - 12

Tries: Foden; Gregson.
Conversion: Howe.

Despite the result, there was some good performances from the boys, especially the ones who had stepped up to the twos and the ones playing out of position. Proving that when we had a go at the defence gaps opened up and scores were made.

Man of the Match

In the post match festivities, our hosts gave No. 9 Darren Howe the Man of the Match award. In return for this, he lost the boat race for us and had to have his opposite number finish his pint. Colne & Nelson really did out do themselves, top notch hosting.

Whereas I thought Darren had a good game, I could not forgive him for that, so there will be a different Man of the Match named. This goes to James Amor, his half back partner on the day. James is relatively new to senior rugby, but showed great composure, real drive to run in attack and his kicking game was on point all game. Good luck at University.

The Weekly Sam Pook Report

Sam actually bothered to come out of his hiding hole and put a shirt on this week. Sam tried several times to pick the bones of his forwards hard work. Fortunately, he didn't to the relief of his team mates. The game ended up in tears when Sam decided to twist his ankle, we would all like to wish him good look going back to work this week.

Photos

From Colne & Nelson's Facebook page.

Squad: 15. Kirkbride; 14. Obiorah; 13. Hargreaves; 12. Crompton; 11. Birks; 10. Amor; 9. Howe; 1. O'Hara; 2. Pook; 3. Gregson; 4. Foden; 5. Wood; 6. Heer; 7. Jeffery; 8. McCann; 16. Bridges; 17. Buzza.

Next Week

Saturday 29th September, Fleetwood Host Bolton at Melbourne Avenue. 3pm KO. Please get in touch if you fancy a game, or just come on down to support the boys with a beer.