A CHARLIE McCurrie hat-trick proved in vain as Latchford fell to a tough 32-14 defeat at title chasing Orrell St James.
Despite the score coach Martyn Ellis was enthused and said “ We had a real good go against a well-established Premier side who every year are challenging for honours. If you take away the last 10 minutes when we conceded a couple of soft tries, the game was pretty much even across the board and we can take confidence from how we have progressed as the season has gone on. The challenge now is to start to get something from these games, which the boys have shown they have the ability to do so.”
The hosts raced into a 12-0 victory Inside the opening 20 minutes with two converted tries to seize the initiative. Albion hit back and opened their account on 35 minutes when McCurrie (pictured) crossed for his first try.
The conversion was not successful which left the halftime score Orrell 12, Latchford 4.
As in the first half, the hosts opened the scoring after the interval, however, the try was awarded in controversial circumstances as Albion believed there was a forward pass but the protests were waved away.
This seemed to spur the visitors on, and they began to punch holes in the home defence and two tries in five minutes hauled Albion back into the game
McCurrie crossed on 50 and 54 minutes, the latter being an 80-yard solo effort leaving the Orrell defence in tatters. Matty Rudd added one conversion and the hosts’ lead was reduced to four points.
On 65 minutes Orrell showed why they are at the top end of the league when they scored a well-worked try to open up a two-score lead.
Two further tries in the last 10 minutes gave the scoreline a slightly unflattering look about in a game where Latchford were competitive throughout.
This Saturday sees a return to Victoria Park when Albion host league leaders Ashton Bears, kick off 2.30PM
