Injuries And Absentees Hit Hard At Fylde

The score line did not reflect the time Hull spent in their opponents ’22’ but some missed scoring opportunities against a keen Fylde defence and some breakaway tries by the home side saw Hull lose 35-8. 

Late cry offs through illness had already disrupted Hull before they arrived and losing vice captain and number eight Will Hall after just two minutes was a further blow. Nevertheless Hull were keen to show their ability and after just four minutes a spectacular 50-yard run by second rower Liam Regardsoe was only halted a few yards from the Fylde line.

Hull were first on the score sheet with a Reece Dean penalty after 12 minutes to go three points up. A mistake at the kick off gifted the ball to Fylde, and sixty seconds after Hull scored, Fylde’s winger Carlton collected a neat cross kick and was over for their first try which was converted by off half Smith.

Fylde were getting good field positions and a further spell of concerted pressure saw Smith go in for a try after 23 minutes and he added the conversion to make it 14-3.

Hull then took control of the final 15 minutes of the first half, spending most of it in the Fylde ‘twenty two metre area ’22’ but despite numerous penalties and a yellow card for Fylde’s winger Lanigan, the visitors could not force their way over trailing 14-3 at the interval.

The second period saw Fylde increase their lead through a try by hooker Gregory after a tremendous catch and drive from a lineout go fully 20 yards. Smith added the conversion to see his side at 21-3 after 45 minutes.

A further try by Fylde who made good distance after a scrum, saw backrow Bentley go over with Smith adding the conversion after 53 minutes. Hull kept up the pressure and seemed likely to score when a pass seemed to be knocked on by Fylde, but the officials thought otherwise and substitute winger Turner ran in unopposed from 90 yards with Smith adding the conversion to see his side well ahead at 35-3 after 68 minutes.

Hull never gave up and prop Tom Bairstow kicked ahead after Fylde dropped the ball on half way to outpace everyone and pick up to score a spectacular unconverted try. Liam Regardsoe and Bairstow were the pick of a very hard-working Hull pack who could count themselves hard done by the margin of defeat.