On Easter Monday the two clubs meet again, this time in the Final of the Lancashire Cup at Lightfoot Green. But Fylde will be looking no further than Saturday's contest as they will want to make a point following their crucial 12-14 defeat before Christmas at Hoppers' ground. That loss was a body blow to the Woodlands club's promotion campaign and is likely to prove decisive as Nuneaton keep clear of the pack to earn the single place to move up to the new National One division next season.

Fylde are promoting the match heavily in local schools and have distributed complimentary tickets to attract a record crowd for this season, at least 1,000.

The two club's current form is rather different. 3rd placed Fylde come off the back of six successive wins whilst Preston, in 8th place, have lost four out of their last five matches, including to the champions-elect Nuneaton last Saturday. It has been Preston's away form which has disappointed - won two, lost eight - and this has undermined their normal position in the top half of the table.

But such form has little relevance to derby clashes between these two clubs. 'Hoppers did a superb job in stifling the potentially more dangerous Fylde backline in December. Their forwards roughed up the Fylde eight and prevented the visitors moving the ball to their match winning wingers Brennand & Royle.

Fylde coach Mark Nelson used the tactic that had worked up to then, that of using four forwards amongst the five replacements. It backfired in this game as first scrum-half Craig Aikman and then centre Jordan Davies were forced off with first half injuries. Flanker Dan Palmer was drafted into an unfamiliar role as a winger and this contributed to lack of continuity in Fylde's play.

'Hoppers 57 tries to date are put in the shade by the free running Fylde side that has so far run in 95 tries. The difference in style of play is expressed in 'Hoppers backs 34 tries and Fylde's 73.

In the latest sequence of league games between the two clubs, apart from last season, home advantage has proved crucial. Last season saw Fylde take the bragging rights with a double win, 25-18 at the Woodlands and 17-8 in the floodlight failure, 64 minute curiosity of a game just before Christmas.

'Hoppers have had the great advantage of a settled squad with lots of continuity in recent seasons. Head Coach Alex Keay has built and blended a team from young players, some of whom have come up through their impressive youth development ranks, others who have joined from clubs in and around the area. This group is supplemented by a cadre of very able senior players who have lots of league and representative experience.

Hoppers pack has been the major strength of the side this season, backed up by the wily and excellent scrum-half Darren Wilson and young playmaker Marcus Jackson who has had a very promising first full season at national league level. Wilson is shortly to be honoured with a Barbarians cap next week against Bedford, a suitable reward for his industry and skill.

Their always formidable front row has changed somewhat during the season with prop Mark Hanson and hooker Chris Stone starting games of late. Young replacement prop is Lancashire U'20s cap Mark Irving, brother of Fylde's Andrew, so it may be that these two big lads come face to face at some stage in the match.


The Hoppers backrow of the Myerscough College & Sale Sharks youngster Lee Imiolek, gnarled flanker Glyn Dewhurst and Fylde M-J product Andrew Dockray is a very formidable unit and their battle with Fylde's Dave Wilks, Dan Bowman, Dan Palmer or Sam Beaumont may well determine the fate of the match. Former Fylde junior and 1st team player Danny Waller had an excellent start at no 8 for Hoppers early season until a nasty injury ruled him out in November.

Apart from half-backs Wilson & Jackson, the rest of the backline is made up of promising young players such as winger Sean Hall and Sale Jet centre Tom Brady. A more experienced operator is the former Cambridge, Rugby & Llandovery centre Stefan Thomas who has been an ever present this season. Quick winger Will Hughes and brother Tom are dangerous runners and are backed up by highly experienced gargantuan Russell Flynn who impressed at stages this season at fullback.

Fylde will check on Nick Royle's infected foot injury and will make a decision about the state of playmaking fly-half Steve Nutt's damaged ribs. Nutt was on the bench against Bradford last Saturday and may be recalled for this crucial game. Impressive young prop Kieran Brookes may miss the game through a family commitment.