LATCHFORD registered an emphatic 10-40 victory at undefeated league leaders Haresfinch – the perfect response to last week’ defeat.
A physical home side tried to bully the young Albion side, but they held firm and opened the scoring on five minutes when Matty Rudd collected his own grubber kick to cross the Haresfinch line. The resulting conversion hit the upright which was to be Rudd’s only miss of the afternoon.
From the restart the visitors went 80 yards to increase their lead. Firstly centre Ben Harper broke through and raced 50 yards before handing onto Rudd, who in turn fed Danny Brown, who then scored under the posts, Rudd adding the extras.
On 15 minutes things got even better for Latchford, this time it was Brown’s cut out pass which allowed Harper to cross out wide in the left corner. Rudd’s fine conversion had Albion in complete control at 0-16.
An unconverted try from the hosts threatened a comeback, but Matty Nash restored the advantage on 35 minutes when he raced 20 yards to cross. Rudd’s conversion saw the end of the scoring for the half with Latchford in a commanding 4-24 position at half time.
A mistake in the opening minutes by the hosts allowed Nash the opportunity to gather the ball on the half way line, and he then burst through the oncoming defence to further extend Albion’s lead.
Charlie McCurrie was next to cross. Hooker Jack Phillips went blind from the play of the ball, and fed McCurrie, who used his strength to hold off three defenders and plant the ball down.
Haresfinch did register a second try, but it proved mere consolation, and the final say fittingly went to the visitors. Good hands saw the ball spread across the line at speed allowing wing Jack Probert the space to cross out wide in the corner, Rudd’s touchline conversion putting the seal on a fantastic victory.
Coach Martyn Ellis was understandably happy with the performance.
He said: “This was a fantastic team effort, where we were clinical at the critical stages of the game.
“To come and play a side who have won all seven of their games so far, and put in a performance like that just shows what we are capable of.
“We came with a game plan and the execution of this allowed us the opportunity to play some good rugby, and we fully deserved this victory. “
This Saturday (09) Latchford host Ulverston at the ASICS Victoria Park Arena, Kick off 2.30pm.
