Fylde bag bonus despite slow start

SCOTT ARMSTRONG’S second-half double secured a third consecutive Fylde win as they fought back from a halftime deficit to down Blaydon.

Their first away win of the season against Hull last week had given Fylde confidence and they moved into 11th with this win. But it was the visitors who scored after just six minutes, Jason Smithson going in under the posts after dominant scrummaging from Blaydon.

Still Fylde slumbered and Blaydon scored again minutes later when winger Dan Marshall coasted through Fylde’s porous defence to score in the corner.

But Fylde were revived when Smithson was shown a yellow. Connor Wilkinson scored in the 39th minute with a superb solo break.

Pressing their advantage, Fylde scored again to go in 14-12 down as No. 9 Greg Nicholls sniped over from a rolling maul.

Wilkinson opened the second half with a 50metre break but Fylde were unable to break through until the 59th minute. A Jack Turley bust created a run-away Scott Armstrong try, finished under the posts.

Leading 19-17, Fylde locked it up with another Armstrong try in the 68th minute that sealed five points and denied Blaydon a losing bonus point.