1st December  2007 - Fylde 17  Hull Ionians 10  - National 3 North     pictures

Hull Ionians once again came from an away match with a loosing bonus point, enough to maintain their 4^th place in the table. With a cold gale blasting in off the Irish sea Hull Ionians never really warmed up and although their defence was solid their work rate in attack was too often too lethargic, handing the initiative back to Fylde who are at last finding some form this season.

A revitalized Fylde have the goal kicking of off half John Armstrong to thank for their victory in a match where once again a diagonal gale made it very difficult to play good rugby, both sides scoring just one try. Fylde had the wind advantage for the first half and used it to good effect to play most it in the attacking quarter, but against a resolute defence could find no way through. The second half was a far more even territorial contest but with the wind having eased a little John Armstrong struck two penalties and two drop goals to take the match, while Hull Ionians deservedly kept close to gain the loosing bonus point. Perhaps unavailability, injury and illness forcing six changes to the team was just too many, but all players were acknowledged members of the 1^st XV squad and to their credit the two youngest, winger Joe Donkin and flanker James Liddle, were awarded joint man of the match award.

Hull Ionians made the best possible start running into the diagonal wind and after 9 minutes a penalty from Chris Quinn opened the scoring. Fylde then kicked the ball into the attacking 22, kept it there for 25 minutes, but never looked likely to break through. Hull Ionians at last relieved the siege with good kicking and running but two penalty chances blew off course in the gale.

Fylde got the break through straight from the restart when, for once only, the leagues leading try scorer Oli Brennand was given just enough space to dance out of tackles and score in the corner. Another Fylde run was amazingly allowed to continue despite the tackled player being brought to his knees before running on and gaining the position for a penalty by John Armstrong. On 60 minutes Gary Stephenson was yellow carded for not rolling away quick enough from the tackle and Armstrong again kicked the penalty to increase the lead. Hull Ionians drove straight back gaining 30 metres with faultless driving forward play. Fylde no 8 Dylan O’Grady was yellow carded for stopping the try and Hull Ionians took the scrum. A controlled drive and disciplined pick up saw Rob Kench gain the push over try for, converted by Chris Quinn to make it 11-10. Fylde came back on the attack with Mick Watson now being yellow carded and the resultant pressure saw John Armstrong strike two well taken drop goals to seal the match. Hull Ionians again went on the attack but Fylde support were relieved to hear the final whistle to leave them the victors.