SSE National League One

Fylde 35 Wharfedale 3

AT FACE value, this was another heavy and worrying away defeat for Wharfedale.

But forget the scoreline. The men in green overcame an extraordinary degree of misfortune to deliver a performance of genuine merit and true spirit, and after the match there was nothing but praise from coaching staff and travelling fans.

This is not to suggest that Fylde were not worthy victors – but they were the unwitting beneficiaries of a barely credible series of early injuries that hit their visitors.

Inside 17 minutes, the Dalesmen had lost the core of their side to injury.

Three key players – lock Richard Rhodes (with a serious shoulder dislocation), flanker Dan Solomi and full back Taylor Prell – were to take no further part, and they were joined on the sidelines later in the half by fly half James Guy.

Despite the setbacks, the Greens had their fair share of possession in the first half, and were desperately unlucky to reach half-time 14-3 in arrears.

Before the injuries kicked in, they might have scored twice, and the re-organised team regularly forced the hosts to dig deep in defence.

Fylde’s rash tactics under pressure resulted in yellow cards for full back Warren Spragg and flanker David Fairbrother.

With Rhodes, their main jumper, out of the action, the Wharfedale line-out faltered badly however, and a series of excellent penalty kicks to touch by Tom Davidson were wasted.

Fylde scored two converted tries – lock David Fairbrother on 11 minutes and fly half Chris Johnson in the final action of the half – against Davidson’s 17th-minute penalty.

Prop Jake Armstrong was added to the injury list in the second half.

The Greens fought tenaciously to the end, but succumbed to further tries – a mauled brace from line-outs by lock Paul Arnold, and prolific winger Olly Brennand’s late sparkling run.

With two minutes left, Dale’s Matt Beesley – prop turned back row – and Fylde lock Gareth Rawlings were jointly judged the centrepiece of a brawl, both receiving red cards.