Opposition Profile - Fylde RFC
Run it, Albion!
By stonehousealbion
September 26 2015
Across the map of English rugby, there are hot spots and bare patches - and the NW is one of the latter. Sale Sharks (Manchester) are the only representatives in the AP and there are none in at Level 2. But right in the middle of that area is Fylde, who as noted elsewhere, have been consistently flying the flag for that region in Nat 1 for the past few years. Our visitors this weekend have a prestigious pedigree - but that's long-term. Our last game against them was in 2005 en route to the Nat Trophy Final in 2005 with a solid win away, and previously in our promotion season to the old ND1 with a brace of victories. What are they about right now?
One of the luminaries of Fylde's recent history is Brian Ashton who played for the club before time at Bath and England as head coach. Jason Robinson of RWC 2003 fame was aslo player coach a few years back. The legacy of this is a commitment to "continuous" rugby, with a high risk/high return ethos which has served them well over the recent past. It means keeping hold of the ball and use of the offload in the tackle. At it's extreme, it means that a fly half could be in for a ticking-off for kicking away from under his own posts. Scoring plenty of tries, but also the risk of shipping a good few as well. The cry from the touchlines at the Woodlands is "Run it, Fylde!"
The team has not suffered any great losses over the summer, but some newbies are in from their local rivals Preston Grasshoppers. More importantly, there has been a complete change of coaching team; Paul Arnold (head - Moseley and Nottingham), Alex Loney (forwards) and Warren Spragg (backs, also a player at times). The playing squad has been suffering from a few injuries in key positions - their skipper, Chris Briers has been missing of late and Sam Beaumont (yup, one of Bill's lads - I told you they had pedigree!) is out, too. You could say that that they are suffering from the dreaded "gelling" problem. No shortage of brains, talent or ambition, but the rig's not firing on all eight. This is reflected in recent results. Close, but no cigar against Richmond at home last week, losing narrowly in the dying moments.
Fylde's location and ability to produce quality players means they have contirbuted much to the County scene in Lancashire and this is a plus for us today. With all our own imports from Cornwall, there will be a few players renewing acquaintances from the Bill Beaumont Cup final in May. Among the stand out names are Olly Brennand with a record of almost a try a game in close on 230 appearances for Fylde and Chris Johnson, the fly half. Of paritcular interest today is Ryan de la Harpe, a Namibian (inter)national, who was in the touring squad last year. (His brother, Darryl is in the RWC squad). Watch out too for Todd Prisk, an England Counties U20 back row.
The online opinion heavily backs us for a win at home - much more than it did last week. But what did that count for at the end of the day? The problem with opposition firing on 6 or 7 is that if it all comes together for Fylde in good conditions (RWC training pitch and an excellent forecast), we could be in for a torrid time. Certainly, the Albion squad need to be on top from the off. Expect a fast game - all 16 men at the Brickfields will need to give it their all this afternoon.
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Plymouth Bred , Plymouth Born .
C'mon Albiiioooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
It certainly brings a different and interesting dimension to our web site.
Semper Sersum.