LATCHFORD Albion Giants gained their first victory of the season when Will Maguire’s late penalty settled an enthralling encounter with Orrell St James by a single point.
After suffering close to defeats to Thatto Heath and Portico Vine in the opening two rounds, this time the hosts had enough to finally get the victory.
Orrell made a quick start to the game registering two converted tries in the opening ten minutes to take and early advantage.
Albion hit back with a quick fire double from Josh Barnard. The first from a crash ball near the ruck, the second was in support of Maguire’s sixty metre break straight from the restart, Maguire adding both conversions.
Orrell again regained the lead with a third converted try before River Cole grounded Theo Gabbott’s grubber kick to keep Latchford in touching difference at the break
The half-time score was Latchford 16, Orrell St.James 18
As with the first half the visitors came out strong and scored out wide to increase their lead to six points.
Latchford soon levelled the game when Maguire went on a 40 yard solo effort leaving three defenders in his wake before adding the conversion.
On 71 minutes Orrell nudged ahead with a drop goal, but the home side regrouped and applied constant pressure to the visitors line.
The drama was still not over and on 79 minutes the referee awarded Latchford a penalty which Maguire coolly slotted over to ensure the Giants secured a hard fought victory.
