Halton Farnworth Hornets - 20
Latchford Albion - 24

Halton Farnworth Hornets lodged an appeal against the scoreline after an independent journalist claimed to know the final score was 20-20. The Refereee's decision was over-ruled and the game replayed on Saturday, 08/10/2005 Back to top

01/10/2005 v Widnes Moorfield (home)

Latchford Albion - 34
Widnes Moorfield - 10 Back to top

08/10/2005 v Halton Farnworth Hornets (away)Tetley's Lancashire Cup

Halton Farnworth Hornets - 16
Latchford Albion - 10 Back to top

15/10/2005 v Orrell St James (home)

Latchford Albion - 20
Orrell St James - 16 Back to top

22/10/2005 v Hindley (away)

Hindley - 19
Latchford Albion - 10 Back to top

29/10/2005 v Wigan St Patricks (home)

Latchford Albion - 26
Wigan St Patrick's - 24 Back to top

05/11/2005 v Folly Lane (home)

Postponed Back to top

12/11/2005 v Ulverston (home)

Latchford Albion 44
Ulverston 20 Back to top

26/11/2005 v Rylands (home)

Latchford Albion 25
Rylands 22

As is customary with a local derby this game went right to the wire and tested both of the teams to their limit. Rylands in the first half were superb and deservedly took a 0-12 lead with three tries, one from Carl Lloyd and two from Mark Martin. At this stage it looked as though Rylands were going to run away with a seemingly very one-sided game.

The second half started just as badly for Latchford when Ian Ward went over for a try and Andy Pucill converted to make the score 0-18. However, this proved to be the wake up call that Latchford needed. The Albion struck back with four quick tries of their own through Matty Drinkwater, Gavin Bishop, Ian Marsden and John Williams, two out of four were converted by Nick Owen. Shortly after Gavin Bishop landed a drop goal to make the score 21-18 and to bring the game alive. In the last five minutes Rylands were rewarded for some good work and scored again. Their failure to convert left the game delicately poised at 21-22. In the dying minutes Ryan Simpson scored in the corner for Latchford to complete the scoring in this enthralling encounter and to snatch the victory for the home Latchford 25 Rylands 22.

This was a good advert for the local game in the town. Players who were outstanding for Rylands? were No. 6 Ian Ward, No. 13 Paul Flannery and No. 10 Andy Pucill. Players outstanding for Latchford were Ryan Simpson, Russ Parkman and Matty Wilson. Back to top

03/12/2005 v Folly Lane (away)

Folly Lane 44
Latchford Albion 22 Back to top

14/01/2006 v Hindley (home)

Latchford Albion 42
Hindley 12 Back to top

21/01/2006 v Ince Rose Bridge (away) National Cup

Ince Rose Bridge 48
Latchford Albion 30 Back to top

28/01/2005 v Roose Pioneers (away)

Roose Pioneers 2
Latchford Albion 10
(match abandoned)

Latchford travelled to Roose Pioneers in this North West Counties League division one fixture needing to secure the two points to keep the promotion hopes alive. A good start by the Albion saw Gav Bishop retain the ball from the KO by finding touch putting Roose on the back foot where they stayed for the following 54 minutes. Mike Bishop opened the scoring with a try after good work by Mat Drinkwater and John Williams opened up the Roose defence. Gav Bishop added the extras. Big defence from Latchford by Matty Wilson and Ryan Barnes saw Latchford retain the lead despite some indiscipline resulting in a Roose penalty in front of the sticks making the score 2-6 in favour of the Albion. Next up was the powerful John Williams scored out wide but Bishop couldn't capitalise on the two points on offer making a half time score of 2-10 to Latchford.

Latchford remained on top of the Pioneers due to a big defensive effort from the Albion 13 with Ryan Barnes leading the way. The game was called to a halt on the 54th minute by the referee after a fracas erupted resulting in the majority of players from both teams pulling hair and swinging hand bags at each other. Who will get the points is yet to be decided but Mick Byron's pre season target of promotion into the premier league is still firmly within his sights.

Best for latchford in the Forwards were Ian "Big Show" Marsden, Ryan Barnes, Matty Wilson, John Williams, Tony T, Mike Bishop, Clive Cottiga, Chris "the Bear" Russell, and in the Backs Chris Buckley, Craig Middlemore, Paul Dainteth, Iain Fowler, Russ Parkman, Andy Dean, Matty Drinkwater, Neil Guest and Gav Bishop Back to top

04/02/2006 v Widnes Moorfield (away)

Widnes Moorfield 18
Latchford Albion 36 Back to top

11/02/2006 v Folly Lane (home)

Latchford Albion 56
Folly Lane 10 Back to top

18/02/2006 v Adlington Rangers (away)

Adlington Rangers 24
Latchford Albion 31

Latchford Albion travelled to Adlington to continue their assault on the North West Counties Division One title and promotion to the Premier Division. The Albion ground out a well deserved win in difficult conditions to go third in the table. Latchford have a game in hand over the leaders Oldham St Annes who they play next game and, with three games to go, Latchford look favourites to be promoted.

Craig Middlemore was first on the score sheet after a superb pass from Man of the Match Matt Wilson saw Middlemore score in the corner. Next up was the hard running John Williams who battered his way through countless Adlington defenders to crash over. Adlington then scored a well taken try to bring the score to 10-6 in favour of the Albion. Andy Dean and Tony T were next on the score sheet taking the score to 22-6 at half time with the dynamic half back Gavin Bishop kicking 3 first half goals.

Gavin Bishop was first to score in the second half confusing the defence with a lovely chip over that he regathered to score under the sticks and then tagged on the extra two points. Addlington then scored two quick tries to keep them within reach when up stepped Glynn Taylor who burrowed his way over the line in typical Taylor fashion to extend Albions lead. Gavin Bishop added the extras and then went on to knock over a cheeky drop goal to rub salt into the already sore Adlington wounds. More points came from the Adlington side who refused to lie down but Latchford held on for a 31-24 win.

The pick of the Latchford bunch were Mat Wilson, Gavin Bishop and Glynn Taylor, who were well supported by unsung heroes Mike Bishop who made breaks aplenty, Mat Drinkwater who cunfused the Adlington defence every time he held the ball, and Paul Daintith with his stong runs and big defence. The full 17 deserve a mention for their work rate and the relentless will to win! Back to top

18/03/2006 v Folly Lane (home) NWC Cup 1st Round

Latchford Albion 36
Folly Lane 32 Back to top

25/03/2006 v Roose Pioneers (away)

Roose Pioneers 12
Latchford Albion 29

Latchford continued with their push for promotion to the Premier League with a comfortable win away at Roose. With Ryan Barnes out injured having taken a serious knock in last weeks game this game was dedicated to Ryan's recovery and speedy return to the side.

Mat Drinkwater was first on the score sheet with a well worked effort before indiscipline allowed Roose to open their account with a penalty. Man of the Match, Chris Buckley was next up with a try set up by the hard working Drinkwater, which Gav Bishop goaled. Roose were next to score a converted try before Chris Buckley's interception and an 80 metre race for the whitewash Bishop added the goal for a half time 16-12 advantage to the Albion.

Latchford kept up the pressure in the second half with a superb effort from Matty Drinkwater, which Bishop goaled. Gav Bishop then added a drop goal and the scoring was completed when the powerful Mike Bishop scored out wide and Mat Drinkwater kicked the goal for a full time score of 29-12 in favour of Latchford.

Best for Latchford were Chris Buckley, Mat Drinkwater, Gav Bishop and Andy Dean in the backs and the forwards were led by Glynn Taylor, Mat Wilson and Mike Bishop. Big shots came from Ian Marsden and Matty Patterson with the rest of the 17 all deserving praise for their efforts.

Next week Latchford travel to Oldham St Annes and a win there will guarantee promotion, Although Latchford can finish the season joint top with Rylands and have a superior points difference, complicated League rules rob Latchford of going up as Champions. However, next month's game in the Calsberg Tetley Knock Out between Latchford and Rylands will decide the true Champions, unless of course Rylands would like the chance to prove they really are the best side in the first division with a deciding play off game. Don't hold your breath though! Back to top

15/04/2006 v Wigan St Patrick's (away)

Wigan St Patrick's 24
Latchford Albion 22 Back to top

22/04/2006 v Wigan St Patrick's (away) NWC Cup quarter final

Wigan St Patrick's - 10
Latchford Albion - 27

After the 2nd round match was conceded by Haydock, Latchford went through to the 3rd round and got back to winning ways in this challenge cup quater final game away at St Pats. The home side took the lead on two minutes with a penalty goal in front of the sticks which was cancelled out by a Mat Wilson try on four minutes, two minutes later and it was 8-4 to the home side before a converted try by man of the match John Williams made it 8-10 to Latchford, penalties were converted by both sides to make the half time score 10-12 in favour of Latchford.

The second half was a different story as the Latchford men converted possession in to points. Tries by Craig Middlemore and Gavin Bishop plus a Gavin Bishop drop goal and three Matty Drinkwater kicks saw the Albion home with a well deserved 27 points to ten victory. Man of the match John Williams was well supported by Matt Wilson and Glynn Taylor in the forwards and Mat Drinkwater and Gavin Bishop in the backs, Craig Middlemore had a superb game before for leaving the field on the final whistle with knee ligament damage. Ryan Barnes made a welcome return from injury to bolster the fron row. Matt Patterson was up to his usual standard in defence with a number a shots which left the opposition players not only wondering what day it was but what year! All 17 men deserve a mention for their outstanding commitment and effort. Back to top

25/04/2006 v Oldham St Anne's (away)

Oldham St Anne's 12
Latchford Albion 18

After a seventeen year absence, Micky Byron's men secured promotion back to the Premier Division in this bone-crunching, table-topping decider. The team that took the spoils would be promoted and after 73 minutes there was nothing to split the teams.
In front of a large crowd at Oldham, Latchford took the lead after ten minutes with a Gavin Bishop penalty, which was quickly equalised by his opposite St Anne's number. Despite long periods of possession Latchford couldn't break the St Anne's defence and found themselves going in at the break 12 points to 2 down and reduced to 12 men after Matty Patterson was harshly sin-binned for a high shot.

After the break the Latchford men took control of the game with Paul (Pinky) Daintith fighting his way across the white wash taking three defenders with him after good work by Mat Wilson and a slick backdoor pass. 'Captain Marvel' Mat Drinkwater levelled the scores with a gallant effort under the sticks, again taking defenders with him. A further two tries were ruled out for Latchford, one for obstruction and one for being held short, although both tries looked good from the touchline. Big shots from Matty Patterson continued to knock the heart out of the Oldham attack when Man-of-the-Match Paul Daintith put in a huge shot on a St Anne's forward, knocking the ball out and the player into the middle of next week. The resulting possession and scrum was to seal the game with man mountain John Williams scoring his 16th try of the season. Gav Bishop tagged on the extras for a 6 point lead that Latchford defended until the final whistle. All 17 men deserved the man of the match award and nothing separated the effort of the 17. Despite huge hits from all the lads one particular tackle that led to the winning try was the bell ringer from Paul Daintith. Ryan Barnes came through his second game since a facial injury kept him out for a month with another solid performance both in attack and defence, his face held up despite taking a huge punch from a St Anne's player. Craig Middlemore hopes to be back in contention for Saturday's semi final away to first division champions Rylands. Mike Bishop suffered a season ending injury to his rib cartilage after being gang tackled by the Oldham defence.

Two semi finals await Latchford both against local rivals Rylands and needless to say two finals to follow.

We're going up......we're going up..... Latchford's going up....etc etc Back to top

Warrington Carlsberg Cup

Latchford's open age first team joined their U16s and A team in the Warrington knock out finals to be held at Crosfields ARLFC on May 27th 2006.

Latchford Albion 32 - 20 Rylands

Home advantage seams to be the only way to separate these two sides after Latchford took a well deserved win against local rivals Rylands on Victoria Park.

Latchford's indiscipline gifted Rylands a two point start in this Warrington knock out semi final followed quickly by a converted Rylands try to see the visitors into an 8 point lead, Andy Rawlinson's unconverted try pulled Latchford to within 4 points only to see the visitors extend their lead through a Mark Foster effort which showed why he played at the top level for over 20 years. Tries by man of the match, Sean Geritas and Andy Rawlinson and an Andy James conversion saw the half time whistle come with Rylands having a slight advantage at 14 --16.

The next 38 minutes was all one way traffic with Latchford taking control of the game with big shots by the Albion pack knocking the heart out of Rylands' go-forward combined with Gav Bishops field kicking that saw knock on after knock on by the Rylands full back which allowed the Albion to score 18 unanswered points through tries by Gav Bishop and two by Iain Fowler, the kicks were added by Andy James and two by Gav Bishop, Before a late unconverted consolation try by Rylands finished the scoring in a match that was marred in the first half with the loss of Latchfords uncompromising winger Paul Daintith who was carried off with a broken leg Back to top