Lanigan’s hat-trick helps Fylde shine

Fylde…………………….45 Hull Ionians………… 17

By STUART MCCRACKEN

AN Adam Lanigan hattrick aided Fylde to thump lowly Hull Ionians at the Woodlands to pick up all five points.

The visitors began brightly, but faded with Fylde securing the try bonus point late in the first half, before adding another three tries after the half-time interval.

Fylde went over first in the tenth minute via Lanigan thanks to a brilliant line and break from Toby Harrison.

The visitors, who controlled possession in the opening half hour, scored in the 30th minute with a breakaway try after Fylde lost the ball in the Ionians' half, allowing Will Yates to race away and score.

Fylde bounced back instantly through Lanigan again, after brilliant hands by Freddie Reader and Olli Parkinson, before Jordan Dorrington and Ben Gregory added further tries Peter Yo to wrap up the bonus point before the break.

Ben Turner bagged Fylde's fifth in the 48th minute before Lanigan completed his hat-trick in the corner, beating three defenders.

The Ionians got one back via George Newburn with 13 left, but Scott Rawlings quickly struck back for Fylde with a crash ball from short range. Sam Hassard scored in the dying embers for Ionians, but they couldn't get more for a losing bonus point.