Blackpool Scorpions came agonizingly close to a much needed win in Division 1 as they lost out narrowly 19 – 14 to Salford side Folly Lane.
Scorpions were able to name a strong line up welcoming back a number of players from injury and handing a debut to former Leigh prop Tim Street.

Despite the long lay off, the game began at a furious pace with both sides attempting to play fast, flowing rugby. Scorpions almost got off flying start as they continually found space down the right flank with Antony Clark, Phil Gamble and Ben Simpson all coming close, only to denied by some last ditch defending from the visitors. At the other end, Blackpool’s defence was also firing as bone shuddering tackles from Dave Ratcliffe, Karl Davies and Danny Barr amongst others, prevented Folly Lane from taking the lead.
The deadlock was finally broken on 12 minutes as a towering bomb from the visitors was not dealt with by Scorpions allowing Folly Lane to cross for a try next to the posts and a 6 – 0 advantage. Blackpool took this setback in their stride and came roaring back as Gareth Chadwick’s long pass was flicked on by Simpson, which released Gamble on a terrific 70m run down the touchline for a superb try. Young halfback Liam Wilkinson slotted over the resultant conversion to level the score.

Unfortunately Blackpool were not level for long, as needless penalties gifted possession to the away side and they made full use of it as they broke through some weak Scorpions tackling to score another converted try. Minutes later they increased their advantage further as a kick to the corner early in the tackle count caught Scorpions out and resulted in another try. The visitors could have increased their lead further going into the break, but some great scrambling defence from Tim Street, Max Rossall and Paul Mitchell prevented the away side from crossing again, leaving them only 16 – 6 ahead at the break.

The home side began the second stanza with a renewed vigour and had soon cut the deficit as powerful runs from Scott Marsden, Ryan Fuller and Lloyd Garrad carried Blackpool deep into the Folly Lane half before winger Karl Etherington powered his way over from close range to pull the score back to 10 – 16. Blackpool continued to battle away, but again unforced errors and silly infringements proved to be their undoing as the visitors were gifted the field position to slot over a drop goal and then an easily kickable penalty, which they converted to build a 19 – 10 lead with less than 15 minutes left.

Scorpions knew that the game was still within their grasp and seemed to find an extra gear coming close to crossing on two separate occasions as firstly Gamble was dragged down inches short of the try line after a great break and Wilkinson had a try chalked off for a knock on in the build up. Blackpool’s pressure finally told with a minute left on the clock as Ryan Knight’s chip kick was collected by Phil Mitchell who raced in to touch down. Unfortunately this would this would be a close as hosts got as despite trying to push for a winning score in the dying seconds, time ran out for Scorpions with the game ending 14 – 19.

Despite the obvious disappointment at losing such a close match Blackpool will better for the run out after such a long break and can take a number of positives from a committed all round team display. A number of players had fine games for Scorpions, but in the end the man of the match award fittingly went to prop Ryan Fuller, who carried the team forward all afternoon and put in some terrific tackles

Team: Antony Clark, Ben Simpson, Phil Gamble, Ryan Knight, Karl Etherington, Gareth Chadwick, Liam Wilkinson, Karl Davies, Dave Ratcliffe, Ryan Fuller, Danny Barr, Tim Street, Phil Mitchell

Subs: Scott Marsden, Max Rossall, Paul Mitchell, Lloyd Garrad

Tries: Karl Etherington, Phil Gamble, Phil Mitchell

Goals: Wilkinson 1/3