Gregory hat-trick secures bragging rights

By STUART MCCRACKEN

Fylde………………33

Preston G……….27

HAT-TRICK hero Ben Gregory inspired a Fylde fightback to come from 17-0 down to win derby day bragging rights over their neighbours from Preston.

The league's top try scorer added another three to his tally with the decisive score coming five minutes from the end to bag all five points for Fylde.

The visiting Hoppers made the perfect start, scoring two tries through Jack Lightowler and Scott Richardson. The first through Lightowler came in bizarre fashion as Fylde looked to be in with Gregory, but Sam Stott lost the ball and Preston kicked through to score on the break down the other end.

Fylde responded through Gregory inthe 19th minute before Hoppers were reduced to 14 men when Ben Dorrington was sinbinned for a deliberate knock-on. Fylde made the most of this man advantage, driving over from a maul in the 37th minute through the returning Matt Ashcroft.

Hoppers extended their advantage with a Hunt penalty before Ashcroft and Gregory bagged braces in the following 15 minutes to put Fylde in the lead for the first time.

The visitors retook the lead with ten minutes to go through Lightowler again before Gregory came up with the all important score five minutes later to seal a derby double.