Fylde’s pack of worries

Front rower Tom Lavelle was forced to withdraw early in the second half of last weekend’s 11-9 home defeat by Loughborough Students. He suffered knee and thigh injuries.

There was further disruption to Fylde’s forward platform when Josh Beaumont retired at half-time with a hip injury.

Coach Mark Nelson said: “We are going to monitor Lavelle’s injury and I am hoping Beaumont will be all right because Alex Loney is not looking good for this week.”

Loney’s appearances this season have been limited because of his commitments with Stonyhurst College.

But a time when Loney is at last available, it is a source of frustration for Fylde that he is struggling for fitness. Nelson said: “This is the kick in the teeth. The knee injury he sustained against Rosslyn Park has not healed the way we wanted it too. It will possibly need a scan.”

Paul Arnold had not originally figured in selection plans for the Loughborough match because of an Achilles injury, but he was deemed OK to play and replaced the injured Beaumont in the second half.

Nelson reflected: “It was probably a good job he got some time on the pitch as he will probably be playing this week.”

The coach conceded it has been tough to get consistent results this season, but believes that is the nature of the competition. He said: “People underestimate the level of intensity needed. It is a topsy-turvy league and it is very difficult to get consistency.”

n FYLDE didn’t cross the try-line against Loughborough on Saturday, the first time they have failed to score a try in 92 games, a run spanning three years.

n Fylde Hawks piled up the points as they hammered Lymm II 58-7 in the Bateman BMW Premier League.

In Standish Media Services Division One, Fleetwood II lost 15-8 away to Trafford Metrovick.

Fylde IV also embarked on a points spree, defeating Aldwinians III 75-7, but the fifth team went down 53-24 away to Lymm III in Division Three North.

Garstang II edged out Vale Of Lune IV 9-5 in Division Four North.

Fleetwood IV defeated Carnforth II 48-24 in Five North and Thornton Cleveleys II won 46-13 away to second-placed Preston Grasshoppers VI. Blackpool slipped up 17-5 at home to Colne and Nelson.