FYLDE U15s 15 PRESTON 12

A LAST-GASP penalty kick by Harry Gregory swung a thrilling match in Fylde's favour in this friendly rugby game at Lightfoot Lane on Sunday (Nov 28).

Gregory's boot also gave the visitors some compensation for Fylde's defeat in the first team game played the day before.

In truth, this was a game that neither team deserved to lose.

Fylde were faster off the mark with Alex Shorrock, once more in unstoppable form, brushing off two tackles to score inside five minutes. Richard Whiteside converted.

Hoppers replied with a spell of sustained pressure on the Fylde line but remained vulnerable to the counter-attack.

Shorrock made an excellent 40-yard run only to be denied just short of the line by Gavin Weigh's superb covering tackle.

But Shorrock had his revenge moments later, rounding off a piece of smart handling by Fylde with a try in the corner.

Hoppers, fresh from a convincing Lancashire Cup win over Aldwinians, managed to turn the tide of possession almost immediately after the restart.

Just as Fylde appeared to have weathered the storm, Hoppers' fly-half Andrew Barnett seized on a loose ball to reduce the arrears to 12-5.

In a gripping second half both sides were evenly matched for strength and inventiveness and with minutes remaining on the clock, Mark Pledger powered over for a try near the posts.

Joe Cragg's conversion brought the scores level and the home supporters to a fever of anticipation. It was not to be.

From the restart Fylde put the Hoppers' defence on the back foot, forcing an offside decision just outside the home 22. Gregory's cool head and trusty right foot did the rest.

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