Underdogs fall to agonising extra-time defeat

UNDERDOGS Latchford Albion fell to an agonising extra time 28-24 defeat at higher level Woolston Rovers in a pulsating Warrington Cup encounter.
The defeat was harsh on Albion who led until the final play of normal time and only a 40 yard penalty by the hosts took the game into extra time.
In a game where the lead constantly changed hands, the visitors started strongly and were rewarded when Craig Mather opened the scoring, Lewis Johnstone converting.
Woolston hit Latchford with a devastating spell of three tries in five minutes to take control of the game, but the visitors fought their way back into the game with tries from Jack Phillips and Carwyn Chamberlain, Johnstone added one further conversion, and at half time the scores were locked at 16 – 16.
The hosts scored early in the second half to regain the lead but again Albion would not lie down and a great response saw them seize the initiative and take control the game.
Firstly Lewis Johnstone benefitted from a long pass out wide from Chris Griffith, before the impressive Jake Ashton, who was a constant thorn in the Woolston defence, crossed in the corner following great work by prop forward Jake Ashall (pictured).
Crucially both difficult conversions were missed and entering the closing stages, Albion led by two points.
With time running out, it looked like the visitors would hold on and secure a fantastic victory however, with the last play of the game, Albion were deemed to have committed a high tackle allowing the hosts a penalty which they duly converted to take the game into extra time.
With both sides tiring it was a solitary try from the hosts which saw them secure the victory, leaving Latchford taking a lot of positives from the game despite the defeat.