Agonising defeat for Latchford Albion

LATCHFORD Albion fell to an agonising 22-24 defeat at home to Shevington Sharks where the only difference between the two sides was a solitary conversion.
The hosts started the game strongly and were attacking the Shevington line, but an errant pass was eagerly collected by the visitors’ winger who raced 80 yards to open the afternoon’s scoring.
The score did not appear to knock Albion out of their stride and they levelled within five minutes when centre Ben Harper took an inside ball from half back Matty Ellis, and weaved his way to the line, Matty Rudd adding the conversion.
An error from the resulting restart offered the visitors good field position, of which they took full advantage to register a second converted try and regain the lead.
Again the hosts hit back. This time Ellis provided a fine long pass out to wing Gareth Fairhurst (pictured), who beat his opposite number to score in the corner. Rudd adding an excellent touchline conversion.
With no further scores the game was locked 12-12 at half time
In contrast to the first half it was the visitors who started the second half strongly and on 45 minutes they regained the lead again with a converted try when they chose to run the ball on the last tackle to score.
The scores were level again on 50 minutes. This time Rudd took the line on and slipped a pass to Charlie McCurrie who barged his way over the line, again Rudd adding the extras.
Latchford were again found guilty of not respecting possession when the visitors intercepted a wayward pass for the second time in the game to re-establish a six point lead entering the last 15 minutes.
Albion then laid siege to the Shevington line, with captain and talisman Danny Brown leading from the front, and on 78 minutes they were rewarded.
Hooker Charlie Groarke, went blind from dummy half and fed Fairhurst who acrobatically scored right at the corner flag.
Rudd’s subsequent conversion agonisingly sailed wide and the visitors held on to seal the victory.
This Saturday sees Albion on their travels when they visit Thatto Heath Crusaders, kick off 2.30pm