Lions well beaten by Lancashire hot-shots

Nico Defeo scores a consolation try for the Lions. Picture: Mick Sutterby

They arrived at top club Fylde, a former first-class outfit, on a high after recording a first ever National League victory seven days earlier against Chester at Bretton.

But they came up against a wounded Fylde side who were determined to make amends for an embarrassing 57-15 hammering they took at Tynedale in their last National League Two North fixture.

And they certainly did just that, running in seven tries for a resounding 47-7 victory.

Lions centre Suva Ma'asi hands off a Fylde opponent. Picture: Mick Sutterby

“We were outclasssed from start to finish. It was a long way to come and we never got off the bus,” moaned Lions chairman Andy Moore.

“After the Chester win I thought we might have a chance today of getting something from the game. But we were demolished by a talented young side who had the bit between their teeth. We didn’t have any answers.

“I’m very disappointed but there’s still a long way to go.”

Fylde quickly set about healing their wounds with two tries in the opening quarter - the first from 30 metres out by England Counties centre Tom Carleton and the second from Sam Dugdale, a talented young number eight who is dual registered with Sale Sharks and who represented England at Under 16 and Under 18 level.

Tom Lewis in the thick of the action against Fylde. Picture: Mick Sutterby

Carleton was again allowed too much space on the half-hour mark and raced in for his second try and then just on the stroke of half-time Tom Grimes gained their bonus-point touchdown. Grimes made 70 appearances in National League One with Blaydon before joining Fylde.

All four of the tries were converted making it 28-0 at the turnaround and the Lions had a mountain to climb in the second half.

But two quick Fylde tries after the interval signalled the end of the contest. England Colleges winger Henry Hadfield got the first and Grimes raced 50 metres to score his second and make it 40-0.

The Lions did manage a consolation try when Nico Defeo squeezed over in the corner on 71 minutes with Ben Young converting but there was still time for Fylde to cross again through replacement Luke Fowden after taking a Grimes pass. The conversion made it 47-7.

The Lions have slipped back to the bottom of the table.