Albion come out on top after end-to-end battle

LATCHFORD Albion came out on top 32-24 in an end to end battle against a resilient Rochdale Mayfield outfit.
Their return to winning ways consolidated their place in third position in the league table.
Albion were quick out of the blocks, and raced into a 12-0 lead in the opening five minutes. Jack Phillips dummied his way through the visitors defence, before Carwyn Chamberlain continued his good try scoring form when he joined the line at pace from full back and crossed under the posts.
Mayfield did hit back with a converted try, but on 20 minutes Frazer Jones-Lake (pictured) barged his way over from close range, resisting three would be defenders.
At 16-6, Albion were in control of the game however they became guilty of trying to overplay the game which led to a couple of errors, one of which was pounced upon by the opposition centre. The try seemed to swing the momentum in the visitors favour and, by half time, they had registered a further score to lead 16-18.
As with the first half, the hosts were on top in the early exchanges, with the Albion pack making inroads into the Mayfield defence. This allowed the back line the space to be creative and, following great hands across the line, 17 year old debutant Ben Harper, showed experience beyond his years by scoring an acrobatic try in the corner leaping high to cross out wide. Lewis Johnston had taken over kicking duties and landed a fine conversion.
Any thoughts Latchford had of taking control of the game were dealt a blow on 50 minutes when, centre Dan Webster, was sinbinned for a professional foul, of which the visitors took full advantage to score and regain the lead.
With the game in the balance 22-24 at the hour mark it was a case of who could wrestle the initiative and advantage and, fortunately for the hosts, it was they who managed the crucial score when hooker Phil Woolacott crashed over from dummy half, Johnston converting.
On a hot day, both sides struggled in the last 15 minutes, however Albion put the seal on a great victory with a second Chamberlain try, again converted by Johnston to seal a fantastic victory.
This Saturday see both Albion and Alliance sides have fixtures at the ASICS Victoria Park Arena when they host Halton Simms Cross and Rylands Sharks respectively.