LATCHFORD racked up 38 unanswered second half points in a comprehensive 48-6 victory over Leigh Miners to return to winning ways in their division One campaign.
Tries came from Lewis Johnston (3), Adam Wadsworth, Carwyn Chamberlain, Phil Woolacott, Chris Nicholas and Adam Wood, with conversions being shared to Chris Griffiths (2), Lewis Johnston (2), with one each to George Briggs and Chris Joynson.
It was the visitors who started the game strongly, shocking the hosts with a try in the first minute of the game, however this was as good as it got for Miners as Albion soon responded with a try to Wadsworth following good foundations laid by the Latchford forwards.
With half time approaching Latchford spread the ball out wide, with full-back Chamberlain joining the line at pace to add the extra man and he outpaced the cover defence to score in the corner. Johnston’s fine conversion saw the half-time score 10-6 to the hosts.
The second half was a one sided affair as Albion dominated their opposition, with two tries in the opening five minutes of the half setting the tone.
The first came with Johnston barging his way over the line from short distance, which he duly converted.
The second try was a great solo effort from wing Ashton who raced from dummy half to catch the Miners defence napping and he had the pace to race over from 50 yards out, Briggs taking over the kicking duties.
The tries continued at regular intervals with Phil Woolacott dummying his way over shortly after, Griffiths adding the conversion .
Lewis Johnston scored two tries in five minutes to score a hat-trick and cap a fine individual display, also converting one of his own tries to record a personal haul of 16 points from the game.
Prop Chris Nicholas was also rewarded for a great performance with a try where he shrugged off three would be defenders to cross over the Miners line.
Second row Adam Wood closed the scoring when he supported a fine break by Woolacott and scored under the posts, Joynson’s conversion putting the seal on a great Albion performance.
Latchford’s NES Global Talent man-of-the-match went to hooker Phil Woolacott
Latchford Albion A 14 Littleborough 20
Latchford fell to defeat against table toppers Littleborough in a game where the result was in the balance right up to the final whistle.
Albion made a great start and scored twice in the opening 10 minutes to shock the visitors.
The returning Sam Dobson, dummied his way through the Littleborough defence and held off the challenges to cross by the posts, Rick Metcalfe converting.
Shortly after the lead was extended when, following a good run by Scott Rudge, the ball was spread at pace along the line where wing Owen Nugent found the space to dive in at the corner.
On the half hour mark it got even better for Albion when Mal Mason’s pass from dummy half saw Rudi Stewart hold off the oncoming defence and power his way over.
Credit to Littleborough who showed why they are top of the league and they quickly reduced the deficit with two tries and a goal before the half time to leave the game finely poised at 14-10.
The opening exchanges of the second half were close with both teams attempting to take control of the game, however on 50 minutes, the visitors drew level with a well worked try in the corner.
The game was in the balance and both sides had chances to regain the lead, but on 70 minutes the visitors took the lead for the first time in the game with a converted try.
Despite Albion’s best efforts they could not break down a well organised Littleborough defence and the visitors held on for victory.
Latchford’s NES Global Talent man-of-the-match went to stand off Sam Dobson.
