Preston Grasshoppers 8 Fylde 17
2:43pm Friday 28th December 2007
It took several hours of toil by volunteers and the hiring of covers and hot air blowers to ensure that the ground was fit to stage this game, only for a power cut to plunge the field into darkness with just under 20 minutes left to play.
The game was abandoned and the regulations state that, once 60 minutes have elapsed, the result stands although Hoppers are still disputing the validity of Fylde's try, scored in semi darkness which deprived them of at least a losing bonus point.
Both Fylde wings were prominent early in the game with Brennand enjoying a couple of runs and Royle just failing to reach his chip ahead before it crossed the dead ball line.
Olly Viney responded with some incisive running for Hoppers and flanker Michael Jones looped round his centre to make ground causing Fylde to infringe and Gerhard Boshoff kicked the penalty to put his side ahead after 13 minutes.
But the lead was short-lived and Armstrong replied with a penalty after Hoppers were penalised for an unnecessary obstruction.
As is often the case with a local derby, both sides exercised a safety first policy with both fly halves opting to kick rather than pass and it took a mistake to produce the next score when a careless pass was intercepted by Boshoff who had a clear run to the line in the 25th minute. He failed to convert but Hoppers were back in front.
As the half progressed the visiting pack's extra experience and bulk started to tell and they used the rolling maul to good effect. Hoppers' only option was to bring it down and Armstrong took the three points on 31 minutes.
From the restart Dave McCabe was next to intercept and run clear for Hoppers but play was brought back for an earlier knock on. As the half drew to a close, another long rolling maul by the Fylde pack again caused Hoppers to infringe and Armstrong kicked his third penalty to give his side a 9-8 lead at the break.
The kicking dual continued in the second period but the Fylde pack continued to put their opponents under pressure. In the 53rd minute, a scrum offence gave Armstrong a simple penalty chance to extend the lead.
Deprived of possession, Hoppers threatened briefly when Boshoff charged down an attempted clearance but could not gather the ball, while Olly Viney again made ground with some elusive running.
But Fylde looked the more dangerous and on 63 minutes launched an attack through their backs and, although a score might well have resulted, the lights failed as former Hopper Waywell broke through on the 22 and among much bemusement and confusion touched down. The referee awarded the try but immediately brought the players off in the 63rd minute to bring a highly important fixture for both clubs to an unfortunate conclusion.
Hoppers have no game next Saturday but are back in league action on 5th January when they have a must-win game away at improving Macclesfield.