LATCHFORD Albion’s return to premier division rugby ended in disappointment when an impressive Hindley side took the spoils at Victoria Park in a game where the 14-44 scoreline was not a true reflection.
Buoyed on by a healthy crowd Albion were only six points behind entering the closing stages of the game, but the visitors then took control to secure victory.
In a tight first 20 minutes neither team could break each other down with both sides showing a determined defensive effort, however it was Hindley who opened the scoring when they created an overlap to score out wide. From the restart Latchford were penalised for a high tackle, gifting the visitors field position, which they duly took advantage of to open a 10 point lead.
Albion’s response was positive and the deficit was reduced when full back Chris Griffiths jinked his way through the Hindley defence to cross underneath the posts, Griffiths also converting his try.
On the stroke of half time the visitors scored again when a kick was regathered and passed out wide to score, leaving the score 6-14 at the interval.
Latchford came out fired up in the second half and the opening exchanges saw a try to the impressive George Briggs, who followed up his own kick to score a great solo try.
A mistake from the kick off allowed the visitors the chance to reply straight away which was taken when their hooker scooted from dummy half to score.
Again Albion refused to lie down and a second Briggs try, following good work by Brown and the returning Connor Byron, meant that at the hour stage they were only trailing 14 – 20.
The next score was to be crucial and it was Hindley who extended their lead with a converted try which Albion players believed to have been obstruction. However the referee was satisfied enough to award the try.
As Albion tried to force the game, a dropped ball allowed Hindley’s centre the chance to intercept and race clear to extend the lead further.
A tired Latchford conceded two converted tries in the last five minutes to give the scoreline an unfair reflection on what was a fantastic effort against an established, and well organised, Hindley side.
Despite the defeat coaches Lee Smith and Dave Yii were both keen to take the positives from the game where they said ” we matched a top four Premier division side for well over an hour which is a sign of how we are progressing. We have had a tough week with a few people letting us down but the lads today showed true commitment and effort that during the season will turn results like today’s into victories”
Latchford man of the match was half back George Briggs
Latchford’s disappointing return to premier division
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