Hard fought victory gives Albion a boost

LATCHFORD Albion consolidated third place in the NWML Division One with a hard fought 20-12 victory at Leigh Miners.
Albion started strongly, and took the  lead in the opening exchanges when, hooker Phil Woollacott, caujght the home defence napping to race away and score from dummy half.
Miners responded with an unconverted try to level the scores and, on the half hour mark, they scored again to take the lead for the first time, a lead which they held at half-time 8-4.
A torrential downpour at the beginning of the second half meant testing conditions for both sides, however it was Albion who coped the better.
Following good field position by the Latchford forwards, the ball was spun across the line and centre Adam Wadsworth was allowed space to cross the hosts line to regain the lead for Albion, Owen Nugent converting.
With Albion now starting to take control of the game, they extended the lead further on the hour mark. Loose forward Danny Brown linked up well with  Wadsworth, who ran a great line into space, outpacing the oncoming defence to score in the corner.
With time running out, and the visitors leading by six, Miners forced an error, allowing them to apply pressure on the Albion line, and two tackles later they crossed out wide.
Crucially the subsequent conversion sailed wide of the posts, keeping Latchford in front.
The game was sealed in the final minute when Adam Wood span out of a tackle, and held off two defenders to score by the post, Nugent’s conversion being the final action of a tough contest.
This Saturday sees Latchford host Pilkington Recs A in a re-arranged League fixture, where victory could see Albion claim top spot as they approach a crucial part of the season.