LATCHFORD Albion started their NWML Division One campaign with a comprehensive 45-8 victory at Haydock.
The opening exchanges showed no signs of what was to unfold and It was 20 minutes before the scoreboard was troubled and the first score came from the hosts when their full back crossed out wide.
The score seemed to spark Albion into life and they responded with back to back tries to give themselves a 4-10 advantage on the half hour mark. Firstly full back Alex Davies joined the line at pace to score, before second row Matthew Nash ran a great line to find a hole in the Haydock defence, Matty Rudd adding one conversion.
With Latchford in the ascendancy, they extend their lead even further when Matty Nash raced over for his second try of the afternoon on the stroke of half time, showing great footwork to side step the Haydock full back in the process. Matty Rudd’s second conversion ending the half with Albion in a strong position.
The half-time scoreline was Haydock 4 Latchford 16
Latchford started the second half well and quickly opened the scoring, Matty Rudd put a clever chip over the oncoming Haydock defence, which Jamie Birchall collected and then fed back to Rudd who raced 30 yards to score under the posts, Rudd also converted and Albion led 22 – 4 after 45 minutes.
Credit to Haydock who showed spirit and registered a second unconverted try of the game, however any thoughts of a comeback were quickly extinguished when Matty Ellis picked off a wayward Haydock pass to go 50 yards unopposed, with Rudd adding the extras and with an hour gone Albion held a healthy 28-8 lead.
Charlie McCurrie was next to score, crashing through a tiring Haydock defence to further extend the lead, and five minutes later he scored a second, carrying 4 would be defenders over the line with him to cross by the posts, Rudd converted both and Albion had hit the 40 point mark.
Albion wrapped up an emphatic victory when centre Dylan Kelly forced his way over the Haydock line, showing great strength to hold off the oncoming defence. Rudd’s touchline conversion saw the end of proceedings with Albion coming out worthy victors.
There were impressive performances through the side, but coach Martyn Ellis, singled out hooker Jack Phillips (pictured) who controlled the game superbly from dummy half, as well as making 27 tackles which helped lay a great platform for the Albion side to play some great rugby.
Next Saturday Albion travel to Bury Broncos.
