Match Report - Fylde 22 v 22 Hull Ionians.

A keenly contested match at The Woodlands, between 2 very competitive sides. A neutral supporter would have been very entertained and would probably have said a draw was a fair result but, as we shook hands with Fylde officials after the match they were almost apologetic as they were all too aware that they had been handed a ‘get out of jail’ card as, unfortunately for us, the result was influenced by 2 very poor decisions against a very dominant HI’s scrum.

Fylde are an entertaining team, always looking to play rugby, much like ourselves. From the kick-off, Fylde gained ground and were awarded a couple of close lineouts. From the ensuing catch & drives, Fylde moved the ball to centre Cassidy who went over for the 1st score under the sticks, which was converted. 4mins gone 7-0.

Penalties were exchanged by both teams as both ran the ball and attacked well. Lewis Minikin was close to putting HI’s on the board with a missed penalty shot at goal on 10mins. What was quickly becoming apparent was that HI’s had the better scrum, an advantage that they held all afternoon, and which’ should’ have borne more fruit.

On 20 mins HI were attacking again but a well-timed interception from the Fylde 10, stopped a certain score and earned Fylde their 2nd try of the match, which was converted. 18 mins - 14-0.

HI’s continued to attack leading to a penalty which was messed up but HI’s recovered, and ran the ball well for James Sanderson to score on the left side. Conversion missed. 31 mins - 14-5.

As the old saying goes ‘you are never more vulnerable than when you have just scored’ and this proved to be the case as HI’s made mistakes at the kick off allowing Fylde to kick on, pick up and score their third try. Conversion missed. 35mins 19-5.

On 38 mins, HI’s were again pressing on Fylde’s line. A number of penalties lead to the Fylde No 8. being yellow carded. HI opted for the scrum. What we got then was difficult to believe. A straight penalty to the Fylde scrum who were a man down and had been under pressure for all of the 1st half. Half-Time: 19 -5.

HI’s started the 2nd half well but some silly penalties prevented progress. Another good scrum saw the ball moved left for HI’s winger George Hotchen to score. Lewis converted. 44 mins 19-12.

On 51 mins, Lewis added another penalty to make the score 19-15 and game on. On 52 mins Sam Edwards came on for Chris Morton, then on 55mins HI’s lost the industrious Adam Brankley to a yellow card for alleged foul play. On 57 mins Josh Thundercliffe had to leave the field with a nasty head wound and was replaced by Jonny Clark. HI’s now had 2 new props and continued to dominate the scrum. On 63 & 65 mins, James Sanderson & George Mewburn were replaced by James Malcomson and Tony Newell and despite all of these changes in the pack, HI’s continued to have the upper hand up front. On 67 mins the HI’s forwards produced another good drive to the line. Yet another drive was brought down illegally, and the ref had finally had enough. He awarded HI’s a penalty try and the Fylde replacement prop was yellow carded. 19-22.

With a couple of minutes remaining, Fylde gained some possession and were awarded a scrum about 35 metres out from HI’s line. The HI’s scrum which had been dominant all day was again penalised for a reason known only to the referee. Fylde’s 10 stepped up and converted the penalty. 22-22. HI’s attacked from the kick-off but there was no further score. Full-Time 22-22.

Credit to Fylde who I suspect will do well this season and will rarely be beaten at home. There were plenty of positives for HI’s to take away from this match and we will look to kick on next week at home. But there are times when the match finishes and you stare into space in disbelief as you feel that you have just been robbed. This was one of those times.
Fylde report -
https://fylde.rugby/blog/2025/09/07/fylde-ionians-battle-out-a-draw-in-opening-game/