The Under 12's currently boast the biggest squad of the junior clubs and their successes of the last few seasons have ensured them a place in the 'A' league of their age group.
Unfortunately for their opening fixture Latchford put in a muted performance against a determined Hindley outfit.
The Albion showed glimpses of their potential but they made too many errors and Hindley were able to dominate poss.
Latchford's try scorers were Jack Probert, Sam Jones and Joe Mellor. Back to top

Latchford Albion U12's 10 - 18 Orrell St James U12's

Latchford seriously tested the 'invincibility' of a talented Orrell St James' side that had not been beaten in five years.
The team put in a big defensive effort with major contributions coming from Probert, Cooper, Pendlebury and Main.
In attack, try scorers Barnett and Mellor, along with Rigby, provided a constant threat. Back to top

Leigh East U12's 22 - 10 Latchford Albion U12's

A bright start saw Latchford race into a half time lead through tries from Tom Rigby and Dominic Hudson.
After the interval the Leigh side took advantage of uncharacteristic Latchford errors and casual defence to run out eventual winners. Back to top

Latchford Albion U12's 26 - 8 Hindley U12's

Latchford produced their finest display of the season against a committed Hindley outfit.
After falling behind to an early try, aggressive defence by Jack Cooper, Anthony Britton and Ryan Main assured the home side plentiful possession. Prompted by halfbacks Joe Mellor and Jack Probert, Latchford played an expansive game resulting in a hat-trick of tries for winger Richie Burnett as well as scores for Tom Rigby and Joe Mellor. Back to top

Ince Rose Bridge U12's 22 - 46 Latchford Albion U12's

Flying winger Richie Burnett scored two early tries as Latchford showed plenty of attacking imagination from the start.
In a 'Tryathon' between two skilful sides, Rosebridge frequently took advantage of casual defence to keep the score lines close. Thankfully, Latchford's strong running and deft handling resulted in several scores shared by Ross Pendlebury, Ben Reynolds, Jack Probert, Jack Cooper and Joe Mellor. Back to top

Latchford Albion U12's 14 - 15 Blackbrook Royals U12's

Blackbrook had a late drop goal to thank for their win in a pulsating contest, which mirrored the previous night's Grand Final.
Latchford's performance against a top-notch Blackbrook side was full of enterprise and commitment.
Cooper, Probert, Allen, Reynolds and Jones were outstanding in defence while Rigby and Dobson provided the attacking thrust. Try scorers were Mellor with two and Pendlebury. Back to top

Waterhead U12's 4 - 26 Latchford Albion U12's

Latchford's scheduled opponents, Woolston were playing in the cup so the U12's set off for Waterhead. In slippery conditions Latchford had to work hard to overcome a very determined opponent.

Slick handling and good support play resulted in tries for Pendlebury, Rigby, Burnett, Mairs and two for Probert. Cooper and the returning Main stood out in a solid defensive team effort. Back to top

Rylands Sharks U12's 10 - 18 Latchford Albion U12's

This was a pulsating Lancashire Cup tie, which went to extra time.
Poor ball control let Rylands in for the first score. Latchford levelled and then went ahead through two Mellor tries.

With minutes remaining Rylands equalised. Slick handling from Latchford led to tries for Rigby and Burnett to seal victory. Back to top

Latchford Albion U12's 32 - 14 Saddleworth U12's

The U12's maintained their recent impressive form with a hard fought victory over a strong and skilful Saddleworth side.

A feature of the home side's performance was their strong and uncompromising defence. With Cooper, Main, Allen and Chance outstanding.

Tries were shared between Probert, two, Mellor, two, Rigby and Burnett. Pendlebury's kicking game posed a threat. Back to top

Latchford Albion U12's 0 - 18 Wigan St Pat's U12's

Though beaten by a very strong Wigan side, Latchford will still take encouragement from this performance. On several occasions St Pat's defence was breached but without reward.
In a team effort of commitment and enterprise Probert, cooper, Burnett, Jones and Mellor were outstanding Back to top

Leigh Miners Rangers U12's 20 - 0 Latchford Albion U12's

After a recent run of good performances a depleted Latchford team hit the buffers against a strong and in-form Leigh outfit.

The efforts of Ryan Main, Anthony Britton, Tom Rigby and top tackler Joe Mellor provided some consolation, but, for all their endeavours, Latchford were unable to trouble the scorekeepers. Back to top

Latchford Albion U12's 34 - 14 Portico U12's

Both sides contributed to an entertaining 'tryfest'. Latchford were inspired by the return of Jack Cooper and the switch of Ben Reynolds to half back.

Tries were shared between Tom Rigby, Richie Burnett, Ross Pendlebury, Ryan Main and Joe Mellor. Anthony Britton, Sam Mairs and Liam Allen performed well and provided a sound platform for the victory. Back to top

West Bank Bears U12's 12 - 18 Latchford Albion U11's

Latchford needed to produce one of their fines performances to edge out a very strong and skilful West Bank.

After an early Joe Mellor try the flying wing Richie Burnett grabbed a hat trick as Latchford moved the ball at every opportunity. Back to top

Latchford Albion U12's 20 - 0 Hindley U12's

This was another game where the scoreline does not reflect the closeness of the North West Counties Cup tie. At half time the sides were only separated by a Tom Rigby try. It was a match in which defences dominated and big contributions were made by Latchford's Zack Taylor, Liam Allen, Joshua Mullaney and Sam Mairs.

After the interval the strong running of Anthony Britton, Ben Reynolds, Ross Pendlebury and Jack Cooper laid the platform for a further Rigby touchdown and two from Joe Mellor. Back to top

Orrell St James U12's 18 - 0 Latchford Albion U12's

Latchford fought hard against the 'Invincible Orrell', a side who are unbeaten in five seasons. At the interval the visitors were only four points in arrears and an upset seemed possible.
Sadly, after the resumption, Latchford's Herculean efforts had taken their toll and the team visibly tired. Orrell took full advantage.

The Albion could still hold their heads high with a performance full of grit and determination. In a fine team effort, Anthony Britton, Jack Cooper, Joshua Mullaney, Sam Mairs and Joe Mellor were outstanding. Back to top

Latchford Albion U12's 0 - 20 Leigh East U12's

Depleted by illness and injury, Latchford still produced a performance full of spirit and determination against a strong and skilful Leigh outfit.

Encouraging for Latchford was the continuing good form of Anthony Britton, Jack Cooper, Ross Pendlebury, Tom Rigby and Sam Mairs, while Jack Probert made an impressive return from injury. Back to top

Latchford Albion U12's 20 - 4 Portico U12's

Latchford made a timely return to form in this North West Counties Cup Quarter Final. Latchford's solid defence laid the foundation for this performance with Jack Cooper, Anthony Britton and Ryan Main outstanding.

The first half featured a Sam Mairs try following a slick handling move and a long-range Joe Mellor touchdown. The talented Portico outfit continued to pose a threat; further scores late in the game from Tom Rigby and Richie Burnett finally secured victory. Back to top

Saddleworth U12's 6 - 30 Latchford Albion U12's

Latchford welcomed back several players and the revitalised squad were able to contain a strong Saddleworth outfit. A long-range solo effort by Jack Cooper enabled Latchford to break the early deadlock.

Further well-crafted tries then followed for Ben Reynolds, Richie Burnett, Robert Bryant and Joe Mellor. Outstanding in defence were Jack Probert, Zack Taylor and Tom Rigby. Back to top

Latchford Albion U12's 18 - 12 Folly Lane U12's

Against strong and well-organised opposition, Latchford were made to battle all the way. Ashley Cornelia and Lee Vaughan enjoyed outstanding debuts. Cornelia instigated many attacking movements and topped the tackle count. Vaughan proved to be a try-scoring live wire.

In defence Cooper and Probert worked tirelessly. Latchford's other scores came from Mellor & Burnett who, along with Britton, Pendlebury and Rigby made huge attacking contributions. Back to top

Latchford Albion U12's 46 - 0 Oldham St Annes U12's

Latchford qualified for the final of the NW Counties' Cup in style. In a superb team effort, pivotal trio Vaughan, Cornellia and Mellor combined to devastating effect, each scoring tries and creating others for Rigby and Burnett.

Forwards Britton, Cooper, Probert, Main and Reynolds enjoyed fine games to contain a much larger Oldham pack and provide an attacking platform. Back to top

Latchford Albion U12's 38 - 8 Ince Rose Bridge U12's

Latchford produced a fine team performance to overcome a determined and skilful Wigan team. The home side played an expansive game and were rewarded with a number of fine tries shared by Main, Britton, Burnett, Mairs, Cornelia, Vaughan and Sam Jones.

In a strong defensive effort Mellor, Probert and Rigby were outstanding while Astley, Reynolds and Allen enjoyed good games. Back to top

Leigh East U12's 10 - 24 Latchford Albion U12's

Latchford took great satisfaction from their first ever victory over their rivals from Leigh. Aggressive home defence prevented Latchford from playing their usual expansive game and they became embroiled in a bruising forward battle.

Prompted by half backs Cornelia and Mellor, pack men Britton, Reynolds and Cooper all crossed for tries, while Probert, Allen and Mairs excelled in a strong defensive team effort. Other scores came from Mellor and Rigby. Back to top

Latchford Albion U12's 46 - 10 Pilkington Rec's U12's

Shocked into life by a Pilk's try direct from the kick off, Latchford proceeded to produce a superb display of expansive, open rugby. Probert, Mairs, Vaughan, Cornelia, Rigby, Reynolds and Mellor shared tries.

Solid defence provided the foundation for this fine performance and Pendlebury, Britton and Main worked tirelessly to halt the powerful Pilk's pack.

Latchford Albion's U12's will contest the North West Counties U12's 'A' League Cup in May. A date has not been set but it will take place at Leigh Miners' ground and the opponents will be Blackbrook Royals who beat Wigan St Pat's in their
Semi-final. It's hoped all age groups will be able to attend to cheer the lads on. Back to top

Waterhead U12's 0 - 30 Latchford Albion U12's

Latchford needed to produce a strong all-round team effort to overcome a hard running and determined Waterhead side. In spite of the cold conditions and the narrowness of the pitch, both teams contributed to a fine spectacle.

Try scorers Jack Cooper, Ryan Main, Richie Burnett and Ashley Cornelia, along with Anthony Britton and Lee Vaughan shone in attack while a solid defensive performance was led by Joe Mellor, Jack Probert and Tom Rigby. Back to top

Latchford Albion U12's 30 - 8 Rylands Sharks U12's

Faced with a determined and aggressive Rylands' defence, Albion used their pace and handling skills to good effect in this entertaining local derby.

The fiery Ashley Cornelia instigated many attacks and, along with hat-trick scorers Jack Cooper and Joe Mellor, was outstanding. In a solid team effort the tackling of Probert, Reynolds, Allen, Mairs and Pendlebury was exceptional. Back to top

Season 2002-3 Continued