FYLDE U15s returned from a potentially difficult trip to Carlisle with their reputation for open attacking rugby - and rugged defensive play - enhanced after a 44-0 victory

Players and supporters who made the 160-mile round trip were rewarded with a fast-flowing match best remembered for a spell of vintage attacking play in the first half and never-say-die commitment in the second.

Fylde set off at a blistering pace, typified by Alex Shorrock's opening try in the corner.

Fylde maintained the pressure on the home defence with good breaks by first Steve Pittman and then Richard Whiteside running from deep.

When a defensive kick was charged down, Whiteside was again on hand to provide the killer pass for Mark McCartney.

Harry Gregory converted.

This was Fylde at their rampaging best and flanker Patrick Hamilton piled on the agony for Carlisle when, after smart work by Steve McLellan, he burst through the defensive line to score under the posts.

The addition of a handful of older players failed to stop the rot for Carlisle who found the breadth and variety of the Fylde attacking play difficult to counter.

Shorrock, in devastating form, added two further tries before the break, the second converted by Gregory.

Scum half Mark Southworth and McCartney again added further tries in the second half but, as the match moved into its final quarter, Carlisle began to exert sustained pressure on the visitors' line.

Despite a succession of scrums deep in the opposition 22, the home side were unable to break Fylde's resolve to return south with a clean scoresheet.

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