On the 23rd August 2000, the Under 9?s had just six players registered; Paul WHITTY, Darryl COX, Tom SOUTHWORTH, Carl EVANS, Tom WILSON and John HEWITT.
Not surprisingly we relied upon the opposition or players from the Under 8?s to make up the numbers to the required nine team members.
The opening fixture was a home tie with West Houghton, which we lost 32-16. Back to top

West Bank Bears 20 - 20 Latchford Albion

In the very next game at West Bank, Widnes the lads managed a fine draw, 20-20, with Johnny HEWITT going over twice for the first of his many tries this season. Back to top

Wigan St Cuthbert's 24 - 8 Latchford Albion

The next game saw a heavy defeat away at Wigan St. Cuthbert?s 24-8, Johnny HEWITT scored both tries. Back to top

Latchford Albion 22 - 36 Wigan St Jude's

This was a closer match at home to another Wigan side, St Jude?s. Although Latchford lost 36-22 fine performances were put in by Carl EVANS, John HEWITT (2 tries), Tom WILSON (2 tries), Lewis JAMES and Phil ATHERTON who had joined the playing staff on the 13th September Back to top

Woolston Rovers 36 - 12 Latchford Albion

On 22nd October Latchford travelled to local rivals, Woolston Rovers. The Woolston coach later said his side played their best rugby of the season in that game, but acknowledged the Latchford attack never gave up and came close on many occasions. The game ended 36-12 in favour of the home side Back to top

Latchford Albion 16 - 32 Burtonwood Buldogs

On 5th November Latchford entertained Burtonwood Bulldogs. Jordan BRIDGE-BUDGEN made his debut and John HEWITT provided the fireworks with all four Albion tries in the 32-16 defeat. Back to top

Latchford Albion 20 - 32 Halton Hornets

Johnnie Hewitt followed up his haul of four tries against Burtonwood the following Sunday with a hat-trick of tries against Halton Hornets bringing his tally for the season to 13 tries in eight games Back to top

Latchford Albion 4 - 30 Haydock Warriors

A week later saw an excellent performance from Latchford against a very strong Haydock side. Another John HEWITT try was Albion?s only score but more importantly the team?s strength was up to nine. There were great games from Jordan BUDGEN, HEWITT, Tom WILSON and Paul WHITTY. There was strong running from Darryl COX, Thomas SOUTHWORTH and Philip ATHERTON with excellent performances from debutants James ANTELL and Tom McINTOSH Back to top

Latchford Albion 28 - 32 Langworthy Reds

The next game against Langworthy Reds should have been Latchford?s first victory. However it was still an excellent performance in a game that finished 32-28 to the Reds. Latchford?s tries came from top tackler Tom WILSON after Jordan BUDGEN had managed to weave his way through the opposition and run nearly the length of the pitch. Four came from the powerful John HEWITT and two from new boy Tom McINTOSH. It was another great game from Thomas SOUTHWORTH, good running from Darryl COX and James ANTELL and strong defence from Philip ATHERTON and Carl EVANS who had returned to replace Paul WHITTY. Sadly Paul WHITTY was not to return to the Albion line up again. Back to top

Parkside Golborne 26 - 6 Latchford Albion

We pick up the story of the 2000-01 season with the away trip to Parkside Colliery, Golborne on 3rd December. There was no Paul WHITTY, Tom SOUTHWORTH or Carl EVANS who, through injury, was not to feature again until the middle of February. Our team of seven had to be supplemented by the home side. Even so the first half was kept close, but Latchford then ran out of steam. The score ended 26-6 to Parkside with our try and goal coming from guest players. Strong in defence were John HEWITT, Tom WILSON and the outstanding Phil ATHERTON who kept Latchford in the game. On the offensive side there was tireless running from Jordan BUDGEN, Tom McINTOSH and James ANTELL. Back to top

Latchford Albion 4 - 12 West Bank Bears

On 7th January Latchford entertained Widnes? West Bank. Thomas SOUTHWORTH returned but Darryl COX decided to hang up his boots. It was a close game but the visitors held their lead despite constant Latchford pressure. After going two tries down Latchford came back with a try by John HEWITT. However, they could not break down West Bank?s defence again, who scored and the game ended 12-4. James ANTELL was top-tackler, supported by HEWITT, Phil ATHERTON, Tom WILSON and captain Tom McINTOSH, whose defence is improving. There was strong running from Thomas SOUTHWORTH and Jordan BUDGEN. Back to top

Latchford Albion 12 - 32 Pilkington Recs

It was February 4th when the same seven lads next took the field at home to the strong Pilkington Recs? team. Latchford contained them in the first half but Pilks won 32-12 due to their large squad and good use of fresh legs. Latchford?s tries came from John HEWITT, captain James ANTELL and Tom WILSON. Everyone did their fair share of tackling with the top tacklers being Tom WILSON, Thomas SOUTHWORTH and Tom McINTOSH. Back to top

Latchford Albion 4 - 20 Wigan St Patrick's

The following week Latchford were up against a good Wigan St Patrick?s side. The teams Latchford were facing had been together for two years and had much larger squads and it was beginning to show. This game ended 20-4 with Latchford?s try coming from the hard-working John HEWITT. Player of the match was Tom WILSON, top-tackler was James ANTELL and Jordan BUDGEN was the most improved player. Latchford Albion had made an earlier appeal for players in the press the previous October, now each player on the team was encouraged to introduce others to strengthen the squad. Back to top

Latchford Albion 12 - 28 Orrell St James'

On 18th February Carl EVANS returned from injury to replace the newly injured Tom SOUTHWORTH in the home game with Orrell St James?. The game finished 28-12 to the visitors. James ANTELL scored 2 tries and John HEWITT the other. Player of the match was Tom McINTOSH who was excellent in attack as well as top tackler. EVANS played a fine game, Phil ATHERTON was the most improved player and good support came from Tom WILSON, Jordan BUDGEN. Back to top

Latchford Albion 12 - 38 Westhoughton Lions

A fortnight later Latchford entertained Westhoughton. New signing Adam YATES-DUTTON made his debut and had a sound game. It was a disappointing first half performance that saw West Houghton take a commanding 30-6 lead, due to poor tackling. Man of the match, Carl EVANS scored a try and converted the goal kick. A more solid second half saw both teams register 6 more points, James ANTELL scoring all six for Albion with a try and goal kick. Top tacklers were ?unsung hero? Tom WILSON and Tom McINTOSH Back to top

Latchford Albion 8 - 20 Chorley Panthers

Latchford were able to field two new players the following week against Chorley, Sean MARTIN and Mark SINGLETON. Initially a close game, Chorley finished the stronger. The scoreline of 20-8 did not reflect the effort shown. Player of the match was Phil ATHERTON whose try came from acting half-back. The other try came from hard working John HEWITT. Top tacklers were Carl EVANS and unsung hero James ANTELL. Back to top

Folly Lane 20 - 20 Latchford Albion

Next up was a trip to Folly Lane, Swinton in what turned out to be the performance of the season so far. Playing against the slope in the 1st half and some dubious time keeping in the 2nd, Latchford drew 20-20 but could and would have gone on to win had the whistle not been blown.
Player of the match, John HEWITT scored 4 tries. Most improved player, Adam YATES-DUTTON got the other. Top tackler was Tom WILSON ably supported by James ANTELL and Tom McINTOSH. There were very good games from Sean MARTIN, Carl EVANS, Mark SINGLETON, Thomas SOUTHWORTH and Johnnie WYKES playing in his first match. All contributed to a fine team performance. Back to top

Latchford Albion 12 - 20 Burtonwood Bulldogs

Buoyed by the Folly Lane game, a hastily arranged midweek game with Burtonwood Bulldogs followed. Latchford led 12-8 at half time with tries from John HEWITT (2) and James ANTELL. Burtonwood stepped up a gear in the second and ran out winners 20-12. There were fine performances from player of the match, Tom McINTOSH, top tackler, Carl EVANS, most improved player, Mark SINGLETON and debutant Mike PARRINGTON. Back to top

Latchford Albion 16 - 16 Woolston Rovers (McAlpine Stadium)

DIDN?T WE HAVE A LOVELY TIME, THE DAY WE WENT TO HUDDERSFIELD?

The cold and drizzly weather on the Saturday tended to suggest Sunday was not going to be much better. How wrong can you be? Beautiful, bright sunshine accompanied the travelling faithful as they set off on the relatively short trip across the Pennines. The destination ? The McAlpine Stadium. The occasion ? the Silk Cut Challenge Cup Semi Final. Our boys, the Latchford Albion Unicorns Under Nines had been selected to play in the curtain raiser before the big game between Warrington Wolves and Bradford Bulls.

Latchford were asked to play Woolston Rovers who they had played away last October. On that occasion, Woolston won convincingly 36-12. However, things were different now. Two weeks after that defeat former Woolston Rovers? player, Jordan (?Joe?) BRIDGE-BUDGEN became a Latchford player. Other players had arrived to strengthen the squad and to spice it up five attend the Woolston C of E Primary School; Tom McINTOSH, Mark SINGLETON, Jonnie WYKES, Sean MARTIN and Michael PARRINGTON. Michael had come into the 12-man squad to replace the absent Tom SOUTHWORTH.

The team assembled outside the players? entrance and were led through into the magnificent all-seater stadium. They changed into their claret and amber shirts and then took to the field. Initially it was thought the game would be ten minutes each way, the extra five minutes initially ruining the coaches? substitution plans. Nevertheless, all the twelve got their fair share of the action.

Adam YATES-DUTTON went over to open the scoring but Woolston replied and then took the lead. Captain, Johnnie HEWITT went close but was adjudged to have lost the ball just before grounding it. He tried again and this time was successful in scoring his customary try. Despite valiant defending, Latchford trailed at half time 3 tries to 2.

Woolston added to their lead in the second half, but this seemed to spur Latchford on whose tackling was superb. James ANTELL and Mark SINGLETON thwarting Woolston?s passing game by taking out the wingers time and again. Then Latchford started to make good yardage on their sets of six. This led to Sean MARTIN wriggling through the opposition and sprinting home for a tremendous maiden try. With minutes ticking away up popped Phil ATHERTON to force his way over the line to level the scores. Praise must go to those unsung heroes whose running (WYKES, PARRINGTON & BUDGEN) and tackling (EVANS, WILSON & McINTOSH) helped set up the try scorers.

Not all the near 14,000 crowd elected to watch this battle of the mini-gladiators but they don?t know what they missed. Eat your heart out, Russell Crowe. It was a fabulous effort, the first time without the coach on the field with them. A thank you to the lads for their efforts and a very special thank you to Paul LAKE, Andy TEMPLE and Kay SMITH for looking after them so well throughout the day. Back to top

Latchford Albion 6 - 46 Hindley

Clearly the trip to the McAlpine Stadium was the highlight of the campaign and, for a couple of weeks afterwards, it seemed hard for the lads to raise their game. On 8th April the Albion entertained Hindley who were strong in defence and fast going forward, although as we have discussed, Latchford were below par. Tom SOUTHWORTH emerged as unsung hero. Phil ATHERTON scored the try and was top tackler. Playing in only his third game, Mike PARRINGTON worked hard in defence and attack and deserved his player of the match award. Back to top

Ince St William's 44 - 30 Latchford Albion

A fortnight later it was a different story as the under 9?s put in a tremendous show away at Ince St William?s. James ANTELL returned to replace absentees Jordan BUDGEN and Tom WILSON. Captain for the day was Michael PARRINGTON. At half time it was 22-18 for the hosts. Latchford?s scores coming from John HEWITT (2 tries & a goal) Sean MARTIN who converted his try and a goal from Mark SINGLETON.

The defence wearied a little on the big pitch in the second half. Despite tries from HEWITT and player of the match Thomas SOUTHWORTH, which were converted by Tom McINTOSH and Carl EVANS, the home side held out to win 44-30. Top tacklers were Phil ATHERTON and McINTOSH and most improved player was Jonathan WYKES. Back to top

Latchford Albion 0 - 16 Rylands Sharks

The following Tuesday was all about defence when Latchford restricted the Rylands? ?B? team to just two tries in each half. Five players were in double figures for the tackle count: Carl EVANS, Tom McINTOSH, Tom WILSON (who returned after holiday), Adam YATES-DUTTON, and top-tackler Jonathan WYKES. It was therefore fitting that WYKES should also be voted player of the match. The crowd, whilst not rewarded by tries, appreciated strong running by ANTELL, HEWITT, MARTIN, SINGLETON, SOUTHWORTH ATHERTON and unsung hero PARRINGTON.

Sunday, 29th April is the last game of the season and we are at home to Leigh East. It marks the end of a campaign that has finally seen the emergence of a team worthy of playing for the Latchford Albion Club. It?s not been easy for coaches Andrew TEMPLE and Paul LAKE, but they have done a sterling job in creating a side from so little. Now the team has to put what they have learnt in Mini League Rugby to good use in the Mod League next season. Back to top

Latchford Albion 6 - 22 Leigh East

Our last scheduled game was against Leigh East at home. It was a tight first half that finished 6-0 to Leigh, though Latchford were unlucky not to score on two occasions. Latchford were developing their passing game and the final score of 22-6 did not reflect how close it was.

Great running from WYKES, PARRINGTON, HEWITT, YATES-DUTTON, ?unsung hero? SINGLETON and player of the match MARTIN was backed up by the strong defence of WILSON, ATHERTON, ANTELL and joint top tacklers EVANS and McINTOSH. Carl EVANS scored the try and Sean MARTIN converted.

The season may have ended without a Latchford win but the lads should feel proud of their endeavours. As spectators we have seen a marked improvement. When you consider we are constantly playing against teams who have been together for at least a year longer than us, that first win cannot be far away. Back to top