Latchford open their account with resounding victory

LATCHFORD Albion announced their return to the NWML Premier Division with a resounding 34-10 victory at Shevington Sharks.
Playing into a stiff breeze in the first half, Albion were quick out of the blocks, and opened the scoring in the opening five minutes. Half backs Matty Ellis and, debutant Rob Marsh, combined well allowing second row Matthew Nash the space and opportunity to cross near the posts, Marsh adding the conversion.
The visitors were guilty of some Ill discipline during the first half, with two quick penalties offering Shevington good field position, which they took full advantage of to open their account with an unconverted try.
With no additional points being registered it left the half time score Shevington 4 Latchford 6
As with the first half, Latchford started well and quickly extended their lead, captain Daniel Brown benefiting from a quick play the ball when he cleverly dummied his way under the posts. Marsh added the extras.
With Albion in the ascendancy, Nash registered his second try of the afternoon when he found room out wide and raced in from 20 yards out.
Prop forward Jack Foulkes was next on the score sheet, showing great strength to hold off two defenders before planting the ball down under the posts. Marsh converted and on the hour mark Albion held a healthy 22 – 4 lead.
Credit to the hosts, who never gave up and responded with a converted try, however any thoughts of a comeback were quickly extinguished when a great tackle by Dec Rourke dislodged the ball in the first tackle and the ball was spread along the line, where Gareth Fairhurst found just enough space to cross in the corner, again Marsh converting.
Latchford fittingly ended the game on a high note when impressive full-back Mike Walker, spotted a gap in the home defence before racing 50 yards before feeding Marsh who finished off by racing under the posts. His subsequent conversion putt the seal on a great Albion Victory
Albion coach Martyn Eliis was obviously delighted.
He said: “ Following promotion you are always unsure how you will cope with playing a higher level, but we really adapted to the pace of the game quickly, and I could see the confidence grow as the game unfolded and we were full value for the win.
“We had four players on debut and they fitted in seamlessly within the side, all contributing towards a great team performance”
Next Saturday, Latchford face a tough test when they host current league champions Orrell St James at the ASICS Victoria Park Arena, kick off 2.30pm