Latchford start season with a hard-earned victory

LATCHFORD Albion started the new season with a hard earned 20-10 division one victory at Chorley Panthers.
In testing conditions, both sides struggled to play expansive rugby, with defences cancelling each other out in the opening stages.
The opening score did not arrive until the 25th minute, and came the way of the visitors. A short ball from half back Matty Ellis saw Adam Wood break through the Chorley defence, who then fed Dylan Kelly allowing him to cross in the corner. Sam Dobson added the difficult conversion.
These proved to be the only points of the half leaving the half time score at Chorley 0, Latchford 6
A mistake straight from the second half kick off by the hosts, allowed Albion early field position of which they took full advantage when full back, Ben Harper joined the line at pace, and scored in the corner.
Within 10 minutes the lead was extended further when Harper crossed again in a carbon copy of his opening score. With both kicks missing Albion head a healthy 0 – 14 lead at the hour mark.
With Latchford in the ascendency they were guilty of overplaying, and chose to run the ball on the last tackle, however Ellis’ pass was picked off by the Chorley hooker who raced 40 yards to open the hosts’ account and give them some hope going into the latter stages of the game.
The visitors soon restored their advantage when second row, Charlie McCurrie barged his way through three would be defenders to score. This time Ellis added the conversion.
With time running out, the hosts added a converted try, however this was mere consolation as Latchford were full value for the victory which puts them in good stead for the rest of the season.
Man of the Match went to Ben Harper who, alongside his two tries, was a constant threat to the Chorley defence.
This Saturday sees a special occasion for Latchford Albion as they host their first home fixture of the season when Oldham St Anne’s A are the visitors.
With the club celebrating its 75th anniversary, a commemorative playing shirt will be launched before the game, with a host of ex-players presenting the jerseys to the current squad. The club would also like to formally invite any ex-players down for what is likely to be a fantastic day for the club.