LATCHFORD paid the price for a slow start when they fell to a 28-18 defeat at Blackbrook.
The hosts led 12-0 after 10 minutes, meaning Albion were always chasing the game.
They made the worst possible start when the kick off was fumbled, and three tackles later, Blackbrook crossed to take an early lead. This lead was soon double with a second converted try on eight minutes.
Albion opened their account for the afternoon on 15 minutes when wing Gareth Fairhurst got outside his opposite number, before passing inside to the supporting Matty Rudd who raced under the posts from 20 yards out. Rudd also added the conversion.
Two further converted tries from the hosts on 30 and 35 minutes saw them in control at 24-6 at the break
In contrast to the first half, it was the visitors who started well, Reece Hughes crossing on 45 minutes, with Rudd adding the extras to give Albion some hope of a possible comeback.
Blackbrook crossed again on 55 minutes with an unconverted try and, despite Hughes scoring his second try of the game, with Rudd adding the conversion, Albion could not find a further way through a resolute Brook defence who secured a hard fought victory.
Despite the defeat coach Martyn Ellis was not too downbeat. He said: “Despite a couple of recent defeats we have been competitive in most games, where the result was decided by small margins. We are a young side who will learn from this.
“Today was a tough one. The 50/50 calls you seem to get when winning, seem to go against you when you are doing it tough, but we re-group and go again. “
Albion have a two week break before a second away visit of the season to Heysham on August 13.
