There was never more than a score in it during the course of the game, but when the game had been brought to a conclusion by 'stand-in' referee (side-tracked from his original Preston Grasshoppers game, as the original referee was otherwise unavoidably engaged elsewhere), it was Fylde RFC who found themselves ahead.

Fairly evenly matched, both teams gave 100% throughout, producing some entertaining rugby, which kept both sets of supporters warm on a cold day on the Fylde coast.

DMPRFC showed a distinct improvement as opposed to that experienced in those games prior to last week's home victory over Esher RFC, but were still 'not firing on all cylinders.

The injury list, although a repetitive 'yawn' to other league rivals with similar problems, is still proving problematic to a DMPRFC side who still field players who admittedly perhaps would originally not have been expecting to start. Having said that, those players have been available and invaluable and this comment was certainly not intended to show them any disrespect.

It is the long term, season ending injuries that have been unprecedented, in a season which is proving like no other in that regard.

Again and to highlight the bad luck, on Saturday before 5 minutes had elapsed, No. 8 Brandon STAPLES limped from the field with an ankle injury.

Prior to that, Fydle RFC took the lead with a good, quick try from flanker Ben Vernon, after DMPRFC had kicked carelessly out of defence, finding full back Jordan Dorrington, who seared a scorching path deep into the visitors territory, before linking with other home players, ultimately Vernon diving over (5 - 0). The conversion was a formality for the sure-footed fly half Greg Smith (7 - 0).

DMPRFC quickly responded, with centre Ben FRANKLAND squeezing in, in the corner after the completion of several midfield phases allowed forward momentum (7 - 5),
Warren SEALS successful with a difficult conversion from a narrow angle (7 - 7).

It was SEALS himself who scored and converted his own try, after a '2 on 1' had developed and the fly half exploited the advantage, dummying to winger Joel GILL in close support and cutting a line over the whitewash (7 - 14).

Not to be outdone, Fylde responded and after some poor defence from the visitors, Scott Armstrong crossed the try line and with Smith adding an excellent conversion, the home side were level (14 - 14).

As the referee blew for oranges, the contest was finely balanced for the second half.

Some excellent interpassing by the visitors soon after the break allowed winger Jamie BARNARD to take the lead for DMPRFC (14 - 19), but the afters were missed by normally clinical SEALS.

As the game progressed and some replacements were utilised, it was the home side who restored the lead, which they never relinquished from then on.

Hooker Tom Burtonwood burrowed his way over after a catch and drive effort involving his fellow forwards hauling him over the line (19 - 19), with Greg Smith adding the extras (21 - 19).

The crucial converted try came via home scrum half Connor DENVER, converted by Smith (28 - 19).

SEALS added a penalty for DMPRFC (29 - 22) to get nearer the Fylde total.

Smith then added a penalty of his own (31 - 22), before SEALS further reduced the arrears (31 - 25).

A frenetic last few minutes followed , with DPRFC pushing for victory and in fact after a series of pick and drives following a catch and drive lineout, perhaps thought they had crossed the line, only to be penalised by the official for holding on in the tackle.

Fylde ran out of defence and they too thought they had likewise scored, extending their lead, which would have denied the visitors a deserving point, which would have been scant reward for their efforts, however the official blew for the end of the game instead.