The U11's seem to have become victims of their own success. After winning a few games last season they find themselves in a much tougher league. Their plight was not eased in the opening game at Leigh East with seven players absent.
Phillip Green and 'unsung hero' Andy Dolan made their league debuts but Latchford were 16-0 down at half time.
They put on a brave show in the second half restricting Leigh to just 2 more tries while Phil Atherton opened Latchford's account. Man of the match, Tom Wilson made great yardage and top tackler was Tom McIntosh. Back to top

Wigan St Cuthbert's U11's 28 - 10 Latchford Albion U11's

The game with Saddleworth was cancelled so the U11's had to wait a fortnight before travelling to Wigan St Cuthbert's for their second game.
Latchford learned a harsh lesson that if you don't retain the ball and complete your sets of six then you'll spend most of the game defending.
Fortunately some superb tackling from player of the match Phillip Green supported by Tom McIntosh, Adam Yates-Dutton and 'unsung hero' Jordan Stephenson restricted Wigan's scoring chances.
Luke Jones marked his debut with a try and conversion and Tom Mc scored the other try. Back to top

Latchford Albion U11's 4 - 28 Westhoughton Lions U11's

This was Tom Southworth's 50th league game. The defeat may have been predictable but the match was actually much closer than the score suggests.
The visitors scored but Jones set off on a mazy run to claim a glorious try. The final score could have been even closer had McIntosh not been harshly judged offside as he pounced on a Hewitt grubber.
Hewitt was top tackler; the ever-improving Dolan was 'unsung hero' and Antell 'player-of-the-match'. Back to top

Folly Lane U11's 24 - 22 Latchford Albion U11's

Generous Albion handed Folly and early 12-point start before McIntosh and Evans pulled two tries back.
Latchford's fight back continued after the interval and, with Hewitt's hat trick and Stephenson's conversion they claimed the lead until Folly went over with just 2 minutes remaining.
The whole team were awarded the 'player-of-the-match' award as medal were presented to mark the 50th appearances of Phil Atherton and Tom Wilson. Back to top

Latchford Albion U11's 30 - 38 Burtonwood Bulldogs U11's

All those who watched this game agreed this was a fantastic battle between two closely matched sides. True enough Burtonwood took an early lead that Latchford never assailed but the Albion kept to their task and were always within touching distance.
Phil Atherton was outstanding scoring 2 tries and was joint top tackler with the equally impressive Jordan Stephenson. John Hewitt also scored 2 tries and Tom McIntosh claimed the other. Back to top

Latchford Albion U11's 6 - 32 Woolston Rovers U11's

The U11's failed to raise their game to match the strongest side in their league. Missed tackles led to Woolston opening the scoring.

John Hewitt's try restored some pride, as did Jordan Stephenson's kick.
Unfortunately it proved scant consolation as Woolston dominated the second half.

Luke Jones was top tackler. Louise Sullivan's covering tackles earned her the 'unsung hero' award and the ever-improving Andy Dolan was 'player-of-the-match'. Back to top

Orrell St James U11's 24 - 18 Latchford Albion U11's

A birthday try from Jordan Stephenson and others from Tom McIntosh and Luke Jones were cancelled out by three highly controversial efforts from the home team who snatched victory in this bruising duel.

John Hewitt had a hand in all three Albion tries and scored a goal. A strong defence, typified by Tom Wilson and Adam Yates-Dutton, created the platform for what should have been a Latchford win. Back to top

Latchford Albion U11's 18 - 4 Oldham St Anne's U11's

On a boggy pitch this was never going to be the prettiest of matches between two evenly matched sides. John Hewitt's first try of the match was his 400th point for the club. Tom Southworth added the two points. Hewitt scored again and Luke Jones kicked the goal.

Tom McIntosh, playing his 50th league game for the club capped a player-of-the-match performance with a great solo try, which Jordan Stephenson converted.
Top tacklers were Luke Jones, Tom McIntosh, Phil Atherton and Louise Sullivan. Back to top

Latchford Albion U11's 26 - 4 Grappenhall Giants U11's

Despite the sterling efforts of the Grappenhall team this local derby swung the way of Latchford who continue to show improvement.

Latchford's try scorers were Phil Atherton, two, John Hewitt, James Antell and Tom McIntosh, the goal scorers were Jordan Stephenson, Luke Jones and Tom Southworth. Defensively Antell and McIntosh stood out for the Albion. Back to top

'Can You Kick It?'

The Under 11's held their annual sponsored kicking competition shortly before the Christmas break. Fourteen of the current squad took part.

Two players scored 100% with their 10 place kicks, resulting in an instant death shoot out. The ball was taking back to 25 metres before John Hewitt (right) emerged as winner over Luke Jones.

In the punt kick section 3 players kicked 9 out of 10 and the winner of the shoot out was Jordan Stephenson over Jack Forshaw and John Hewitt. Back to top

Latchford Albion U11's 24 - 6 Newton Storm U11's

The Under 11?s resumed after the Christmas break with an emphatic win.
Phillip Green scored his first ever try. Other try scorers were Tom Southworth, Philip Atherton, John Hewitt and Jordan Stephenson. Luke Jones and Jack Forshaw kicked the goals.

However, the true story of the game was reflected in the fact that Latchford had to put in more tackles against a spirited Newton side, than in any other game this season. Player-of-the-match was top tackler Tom Wilson whose display was inspirational. Back to top

Thattoheath Crusaders U11's 36 - 6 Latchford Albion U11's

Jordan Stephenson showed persistence to force his way over the whitewash. Jack Forshaw added the two points. This was to be Latchford's only consolation as a determined Thattoheath team who were better in every department soundly beat them.

Luke Jones was one of the few Latchford players eligible for the player-of-the-match award along with Adam Yates-Dutton and top tackler Tom McIntosh, who was returning from injury. Back to top

Latchford Albion U11's 6 - 28 Wigan St Cuthbert's U11's

The wintry conditions did nothing to inspire an already threadbare Latchford team. Luke Jones scored a lovely solo try, which he converted.
Jordan Stephenson and Tom McIntosh never stopped trying but those who really warmed the heart on such a cold morning were Carl Evans and top tackler Andy Dolan.

As fate would have it an adjustment in the fixtures meant that Wigan St Cuthberts were to be the U11's next opponents as well. Back to top

Latchford Albion U11's 6 - 30 Wigan St Cuthbert's U11's

The scoreline does not reflect the true picture of this game, played on another bitterly cold day. Both teams played some excellent rugby, with expansive handling and kicking on show.

St Cuthbert's managed to take more of the opportunities they created while Latchford still showed flair and invention in both attack and defence. Tom Southworth was the lone try scorer for Latchford when he snatched a Jordan Stephenson punt. Jack Forshaw converted.

Pick of the performers were Luke Jones, Patrick Reardon, Jordan Stephenson, Adam Yates-Dutton and Phil Atherton. Back to top

Leigh East U11's 16 - 12 Latchford Albion U11's

Latchford fielded a depleted team but one where all the players were committed to the Albion cause. A first half deficit was levelled when player of the match Carl Evans leapt to take a Jordan Stephenson punt and force his way over. Luke Jones added the two points.

Albion came back from behind again through a John Hewitt try, converted by 'unsung hero' Jordan Stephenson. With seconds remaining Leigh scored again to cruelly snatch the victory. Back to top

Latchford Albion U11's 20 - 6 Oldham St Anne's U11's

First half tries from Jones and McIntosh laid the foundations for this emphatic
Latchford win.In the second half player-of-the-match Hewitt converted his own try. Jones scored a second to which Southworth added the two points.Oldham's late try could not diminish some fine Albion performances typified by 'unsung hero' Atherton. Back to top

Burtonwood Bulldogs U11's 34 - 20 Latchford Albion U11's

Two attack-minded local teams served up a feast of tries for the appreciative supporters. Burtonwood scored early on. Latchford equalised immediately as
Atherton leapt like a salmon to catch a punt in the goal area. This dictated the scoring pattern throughout most of the game.Latchford's other tries included first-ever scores for Reardon and Dolan, with Hewitt claiming the other.

Top tackler was McIntosh while the coaches' award went to Yates-Dutton. Back to top

Latchford Albion U11's 26 - 34 Folly Lane U11's

After gifting the visitors a large early lead, Latchford clawed back into the game and took the lead themselves in the second half. Unfortunately unforced handling errors allowed the visitors to score twice late on from which there was no way back. Hewitt's 2 tries took him to 100 for the club. Evans, McIntosh and Southworth were the other try scorers, while Hewitt, Wilson and Forshaw kicked conversions. Back to top

Saddleworth U11's 34 - 16 Latchford Albion U11's

After competing at the Peace Festival on Saturday just 11 fit players made the long trip to Saddleworth the day after. In the opening minutes Phillip Green latched onto a long kick from John Hewitt to score. Luke Jones converted and then scored himself before leaving the field with a facial injury.

Tiredness took its toll and, after level pegging, the home side scored three more tries before Andy Dolan replied. Jack Forshaw converted but the Albion's tank was running on empty allowing Saddleworth to add to their lead. Back to top

Latchford Albion U11's 6 - 36 Ince Rose Bridge U11's

An uncompromising and determined Ince side served up a harsh lesson for an Albion side whose normally resolute defence was not at its best.

Tom McIntosh scored Latchford's only try and topped the tackle count along with unsung hero Patrick Reardon. Luke Jones converted and Jordan Stephenson was Latchford's top player. Jamen Smith had a sound debut.

A medal was presented to Tom McIntosh to mark him scoring 100 points for the club. Back to top

Latchford Albion U11's 34 - 36 Orrell St James U11's

Latchford did everything within their power to win this game. Tries from Luke Jones (2), John Hewitt (2), Tom McIntosh and Patrick Reardon along with conversions from Jones, Jordan Stephenson, Adam Yates-Dutton, Andy Dolan and Phil Atherton gave Albion a second half lead. Circumstances beyond their control deprived them of victory. James Antell and Adam Yates-Dutton received medals to commemorate their 50th appearance for Latchford Albion. Back to top

Latchford Albion U11's 12 - 28 Crosfields U11's

The Albion began well and scored first through John Hewitt, which Luke Jones converted. Crosfields equalised but Tom McIntosh's try and Jack Forshaw's kick restored the lead. Crosfields again came back and went then went ahead to lead at the break. Sadly the second half went the way of the visitors who proved more clinical in attack. Back to top

Latchford Albion U11's 18 - 40 Thattoheath Crusaders U11's

Latchford opened their account in their final game of the season when Patrick Reardon fed James Antell who scored in the corner. Jack Forshaw converted.
Their second try was all about the season's top points scorer, John Hewitt who ran from one try line to the other. Luke Jones kicked the goal.

The final try came after forceful runs from Tom McIntosh, James Antell and Tom Southworth set up John Hewitt who fed Luke Jones on the left wing. Jordan Stephenson added the final points of the season.

The end of season presentation saw all players rewarded with a trophy, while Tom McIntosh was the season's top tackler, Adam Yates-Dutton was the coaches' choice for player of the season and John Hewitt was the players' player of the season. Back to top