A RUTHLESS Latchford performance saw them continue their unbeaten start to the season with a 42-0 win against a hapless Chorley side.
Albion repelled some early pressure and then took the lead on 13 minutes. The in form Matty Nash opened the scoring when he collected Matty’s Rudd’s pass to cross under the posts, Rudd converting. Within five minutes the lead was doubled. This time Matty Ellis set free Jamie Birchall who in turn fed the supporting Sam Dobson, who raced in from 20 yards, again Rudd converting.
On the half hour mark, Nash crossed again and with Albion in complete control, full back Ben Harper joined the line at pace and crossed out wide on the stroke of half time. With Rudd converting both attempts, Albion held a comfortable lead at the break.
As with the first half, the hosts applied early pressure on the Latchford line, but again they held firm, and on 51 minutes they further extended their lead. It was Nash again who scored a fine solo try from 40 yards out, showing great pace to round the Chorley full back, and completing his hat-trick in the process. Rudd added the extras.
Credit to the hosts, whose effort could not be faulted, but an organised Albion defensive display kept them scoreless, including an impressive 31 tackles from Danny Brown and 27 from Charlie McCurrie.
The last 10 minutes saw the visitors cross twice. Firstly 17 year old Joe Grundy crossed in the corner, after he supported a Nash beak, before Jamie Birchall put the seal on a fine victory scoring in the final minute.
Rudd kept up his 100 per cent kicking record for the afternoon and capped a fine performance for Albion who consolidated their place at the top of the NWML Division One
Coaches Martyn Ellis and David Rudd were keen to note the fantastic defensive effort, which allowed Albion to keep a keen Chorley scoreless, while an 82 per cent completion rate in the first half, helped to lay the platform for a great victory.
Latchford have a week off this Saturday before a long awaited return to the ASICS Victoria Park Arena on June 5, when they host Widnes Moorfield Tigers.
