FYLDE retained the Lancashire Cup (U14s) with a thrilling 19-7 win over Manchester in Sunday's final (April 25).

This was a match of bone-crunching tackles and eye-watering commitment which showed junior rugby at its best.

In the end it was decided by Fylde's superior teamwork at critical periods.

It was always going to be a close-run thing, but a ferocious start by Fylde quickly put Manchester on the back foot and put them 12 points to the good by the interval.

After a period of heavy pressure on the Manchester line, Steve McLellan's powerful run was blocked just short of the line, but fellow second-row Patrick Hamilton, in close support went over to score.

Richard Whiteside made an excellent conversion. Manchester enjoyed their first prolonged spell in the Fylde half when Newton kicked ahead and it took good work by full back Edward Priestley to clear the danger.

Smart defensive play by Priestley deep in his own half brought the opening which led to Fylde's second try.

With Manchester caught on the wrong foot, centre Harry Gregory's speed and strength took him clear of the defensive cover and extended Fylde's lead to 12-0 by half-time.

Fylde held firm until 15 minutes from the close, when Manchester centre Rolands, an ever-present threat, at last broke through the defensive cover to touch down under the posts.

He converted the try to bring the margin to five points.

Then urged on by drumbeat of their supporters on the terraces, Fylde tightened their grip on the trophy they collected last April. Hamilton's tackle turned the tide of possession and provided the opening on a fine pick-up for Chris Ward to engineer a break. When the ball came out to Gregory on the overlap he raced over to score under the posts.

Whiteside's kick sealed a hard-fought victory which had remained in doubt until the end.

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