Open Age

17/11/1996 v Leigh Miners Rangers (home)

01/12/1996 v Woolston Rovers (home)

12/01/1997 v Blackpool Stanley (home)

19/01/1997 v Holker Pioneers (home)

26/01/1997 v Woolston Rovers 'A' (away)

16/02/1997 v Rylands 'A' (Warrington Carlsberg Tetley Alliance Cup)

17/11/1996 v Leigh Miners Rangers (home)

Latchford Albion - 30
Leigh Miners Rangers - 26

This top-of-the-table clash was an excellent advert for the game. Previously unbeaten Miners took the lead but Albion replied with a try from Smith which Mellor goaled and a try from the outstanding Taylor. Miners hit back to make the score 10-10 before Lord put Albion in front with a try. Then came 14 unanswered points for Miners. Tries from Harrison and Potter with Mellor converting gave Albion a two-point lead.

A second try from Harrison put Albion 30-24 up before Miners kicked a penalty. Harrison, Egan, Dean, Mellor, Taylor and Smith were outstanding. Back to top

01/12/1996 v Woolston Rovers (home)

Latchford Albion - 22
Woolston Rovers A - 12

Albion took the points thanks to a superb second half defensive display. Woolston took the lead with a well worked try, cancelled out when Hall sent Harrison over. Woolston again took the lead when Griffiths scored between the posts and the conversion made it 10-4.

Albion hit back when Groarke scored and Mellor's penalty levelled matters. Penalties were exchanged before Albion scored tries through Dean and Wood, one which Mellor converted. Back to top

12/01/1997 v Blackpool Stanley (home)

Latchford Albion - 40
Blackpool Stanley - 12

Albion started 1997 as they finished the old, with a good team performance. They opened the scoring when Dean put Flower in at the corner. A Mellor penalty increased Albion's lead and this was soon followed by further tries from Appleton, Harrison and Hall, all converted by Mellor.

The second half started with centre Dickinson racing 80m to score again. Mellor goaled. Blackpool then scored two converted tries before Mellor and Egan scored, one which Mellor goaled to finish the scoring. A great team performance with Dean, Dickinson, Hall and Lord outstanding.

Albion's second team won 19-15 against Adlington. Back to top

19/01/1997 v Holker Pioneers (home)

Latchford Albion 48
Holker Pioneers 0

For the second game in a row, Albion's backs enjoyed a points spree. Dave Appleby scored two tries, the second beating four would-be tacklers. Both were goaled by Mellor.
A try from Dean followed as he raced 70m down the left flank. A Mellor penalty made it 18-0. Lord put Hall in for a score. Mellor goaled. Tries followed from Dickinson 2, Harrison, Flower and Dearden. Mellor converted three. It was a superb team performance with the defence sound. Back to top

26/01/1997 v Woolston Rovers 'A' (away)

Woolston Rovers 'A' - 26
Latchford Albion - 32

Latchford Albion took the lead with a try from Andy Wood. Mellor goaled. Woolston hit back and took the lead with tries from Griffiths and McKean, goaled by Hudd. Albion's reply was a Taylor try to make the score 12-10. Woolston increased their lead through Lound before Albion hit back with Dickinson scoring. Mellor goaled. Smith put Egan over for a try. Jones scored for Woolston and Hudd added three goals before two tries from hooker Taylor plus two Mellor conversions finished the scoring. Outstanding for Woolston was Steve Griffiths while for Albion, Taylor, Dickinson, Dean, Mellor played well. Back to top

16/02/1997 v Rylands 'A' (Warrington Carlsberg Tetley Alliance Cup)

Latchford Albion 'A' - 34
Rylands 'A' - 14

The semi-finals have been set for the Warrington Carlsberg Tetley Alliance Cup. Latchford Albion A went through with a 34-14 success over Rylands A. Best for Latchford were 50-year-old Mike Bardill, Mark Lord, Jason Best and Paul Lake. Latchford's tries were scored by ex-Rylands player Bryan Ritchie, Gordon Whittaker, Tempest and Lord, who grabbed a hat-trick. Best added the goals.

Best for Rylands were Mark Daniels, Alan Brinksman, Mike and Ian Ward and Liam Kirkham. Their touch downs were recorded by Tommy Brennan, Brinksman and Anthony Poole. Daniels converted one.

Semi-finals draw, ties to be played March 1: Latchford A v Grappenhall; Crosfields A v Royal Mail.
Both finals will be played at Wilderspool Stadium on dates yet to be decided. Back to top