Latchford’s season comes to an end despite victory

LATCHFORD Albion’s season came to an end when, despite a 28-18 victory that saw them leapfrog play off chasing Widnes Tigers, results elsewhere saw them miss out on the final play off spot by points difference.
In a must win game, Latchford made the worst possible start when a kick in the opening set of six was charged down, and the hosts’ centre won the race to the touchdown to open the scoring.
Within five minutes Albion opened their account when the ball was moved at pace along the line with centre, Dylan Kelly, picking the right moment to feed wing Ben Harper, who raced in at the corner.
On 25 minutes Albion took the lead when Matty Rudd continued his recent try scoring run, registering his sixth try in three games, with another solo effort, leaving four defenders behind as he raced under the posts from 30 yards out, with the conversion being a formality.
With defences on top, there were no further scores, and the visitors held a narrow 10 – 6 at the break.
As with the first half, Albion started badly when the re-start was put out on the full, allowing the hosts good field position, which they duly used to cross near the posts, and regain the lead within the opening minute of the half.
With the visitors benefiting from playing downhill in the second half, the forwards were starting to make good inroads into the Tigers’ defence, and they regained the lead on 50 minutes, when second row Charlie McCurrie shrugged off two tacklers and raced 20 yards to score next to the posts, Rudd converting.
Shortly after McCurrie crossed again, this time breaking through a would be tackle to crash over, Rudd again converting, and finally Latchford had some breathing space.
With the visitors now in the ascendency, the lead was extended further when Sam Dobson took the line on, and smartly offloaded to Morgan Nicholas who found the space to score out wide, again Rudd adding the extras.
With time running out, the hosts adding a late consolation try, however Albion were full value for the victory, to end the season on a high.
Man of the match(pictured) went to Charlie McCurrie, whose two tries in the second half, swung the game in Latchford’s favour.