Latchford Albion Unicorns U9 - 28
Leigh Miners Rangers U9 - 32

The fledgling Latchford side put up a strong fight against the more seasoned side from Leigh. Latchford showed a marked improvement in their attacking game.

Try scorers where Thomas Byrne with two, Mat Grimshaw, James Waight, Player-of-the-Match Mat Ryan, Top Tackler Lewis Fry and Coaches' Award winner Elliot Fry scored his first try for the club. Connor Byron and Alex Foster also put in good performances Back to top

02/10/2005 v Parkside Golborne (away)

Parkside Golborne U9 - 24
Latchford Albion Unicorns U9 - 24

Latchford continued their steady improvement with a great game at Golborne. This was a very tight game with both teams, evenly matched, meeting each other try for try through out the game. The Unicorns led 8-12 at the break with tries from Jack Allen, Lewis Fry and Matthew Ryan. The second half was just as tight with Golborne scoring a further 16 points and Latchford 12 with trie from Jack Allen, Matthew Ryan and Thomas Byrne.

Alex Foster put in his best defensive performance to date and won the statistic-based Top Tackler Award. Thomas Byrne put in a great performance and was awarded the coaches' award. Matthew Ryan was again voted by the parents of both teams to be the player of the match. Back to top

09/10/2005 v Clock Face (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U9s - 4
Clock Face U9s - 12

Although Latchford continued to improve their passing game they were constantly frustrated by Clock Face's very strong defence. Try scorer for Latchford was Matthew Grimshaw. Jack Allen was voted player of the match by the parents. Matthew Ryan won the statistic-based Top Tackler and Connor Byron was awarded the Coaches' award. Good performances were also put in by Alex Foster, James Waight and Thomas Byrne. Back to top

16/10/2005 v Crosfields Cobras (away)

Crosfields Cobras U9s - 36
Latchford Albion Unicorns U9s - 16

The Unicorns continued to improve on their passing game but were let down again by there unstructured defence. Latchford's tries were scored by Thomas Byrne (2), Lewis Fry and James Waight. Jack Allen was voted player-of-the-match, Thomas Byrne was awarded the statistics-based Top Tackler Award and James Waight was given the coaches' award by the Crosfields' coach. Connor Byron, Grant Corroboy and Lewis Fry also had very good games Back to top

23/10/2005 v Halton Farnworth Hornets (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U9s - 16
Halton Farnworth Hornets U9s - 32

Latchford played one of their best games this season so far against a Halton side that were very much larger both in size and in numbers. Latchford's passing game really started to pay off today with up to five drives per tackle on some occasions. Although Latchford played some superb passing rugby they just could not compete in defence with Halton's style of one-man rugby, sending the big guy down the middle repeatedly. Despite the defeat Latchford players and parents finished the game on high simply because the Unicorns played so well and showed true development. The inevitable growth spurt will soon put paid to being out muscled in games. Back to top

30/10/2005 v Chorley Panthers (away)

Chorley Panthers U9s - 32
Latchford Albion Unicorns U9s - 4

On this rain soaked Sunday morning in Chorley, Latchford struggled to make any impact against a well-drilled and very physical pride of Panthers. The Unicorns did manage to briefly overcome their aggressive hosts to score a try by Thomas Byrne. Chris Fance played well on his début for Latchford and it is thought that all will have learnt much from this experience of battling the elements as well as the Panthers. Back to top

06/11/2005 v Orrell St James' (away)

Orrell St James U9s - 20
Latchford Albion Unicorns U9s - 4

The Unicorns were made very welcome by their hosts who played well and were very friendly, both on an off the pitch. On what was a very muddy Orrell pitch, the relatively inexperienced Latchford team struggled to compete against a seasoned and well-drilled opposition. Despite the lack of experience, Latchford put in some great runs and some energetic defensive work. The Albion's single try was scored by player-of-the-match, Thomas Byrne. Matthew Ryan won the statistics-based top tackler award and Nat Hannon was awarded the coaches' award on his debut game. Back to top

13/11/2005 v Mayfield Mustangs (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U9s - 20
Mayfield Mustangs U9s - 28

Latchford struggled to get into shape in the first half and only managed a solitary try to Mayfield's four. The second half however, saw Latchford start to work together and find their form. This stanza they ran in four tries, one more than the visitors from Rochdale, and so took the half.

Matthew Ryan scored his first hat trick this season and set a fourth try up for Matthew Grimshaw. James Waight had a great game and was very unlucky to only score one touchdown. James' efforts were recognised by the parents who voted him as Player-of-the Match. Matthew Ryan achieved the statistic-based Top Tackler award and Jack Allen was selected as the Coaches' Award winner by the opposition coach. All in all a very enjoyable game of rugby for both sets of players and parents. Back to top

27/11/2005 v Wigan St Jude's (away)

Wigan St Judes U9s - 24
Latchford Albion Unicorns U9s - 8

Latchford where made very welcome by St Judes today and the match started well for Unicorns with a try for Matthew Ryan early on. Despite good posession leading to four close efforts, Latchford were frustrated by a very good St Judes defence. Unfortunately Latchford's defence had a slower start and were not able to display the same resilience as their hosts. St Judes scored four tries to give them a convincing half time lead.

The second half was equally frustrating for Latchford despite coming close to score on numerous occasions. The Unicorns did score again with a spectacular effort from Connor Byron. Sadly it was to be the only score in the second half for Latchford. On a more pleasing note the Unicorns' defence showed much more spirit in the second half and restricted the Wiganers to just two more tries. Back to top

04/12/2005 v Blackbrook Royals (away)

Blackbrook Royals U9 - 24
Latchford Albion Unicorns U9 - 8

James Waight and player-of-the match Lewis Fry scored Latchford's tries in their defeat at Blackbrook. Alex Foster was the top tackler and Thomas Byrne won the coaches' award

Source: Warrington Guardian Back to top

11/12/2005 v Culcheth Eagles (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U9 - 48
Culcheth Eagles U9 - 20

This was a fun-filled, fast moving game, played in the true spirit of the youth ethos. Culcheth only had four players so Latchford offered to loan them four of their own squad of thirteen players in each half. This first half went well for Latchford with six tries including a first try for Nat Hannon. The Eagles answered back with three tries of their own.

The second half was almost a carbon copy with Latchford running in another six tries and Culcheth replying with two.

Latchford try scorers were Jack Allen (3), Thomas Byrne (3), Mat Ryan (2), Connor Byron (2), James Waight & Nat Hannon.

Connor Byron was awarded the Statistics-based Top Tackler Award and Steven Roe the Coach?s award on his debut. Player of the Match was awarded jointly to the players who volunteered to play for Culcheth. They were in the first half Alex Foster, Alex Norris, Chris Fance & Matthew Grimshaw. In the second half: Lewis Fry, Steven Roe, Chris Fance & Alex Norris. Back to top

15/01/2006 v Oldham St Anne's (away)

Oldham St Anne's U9 - 36
Latchford Albion Unicorns U9s - 28

This was a hard fought game played aggressively but fairly by two physical teams. The first half was very close with both teams matching each other try for try. Each team registered four tries - 16 points - apiece.

The second half saw Oldham sprint ahead with five more tries as Latchford's defence seemed to fall asleep. Conversly Oldham's defence seemed to wake up in the second half and restricted Latchford to just two tries.

Connor Byron was voted the Player of the Match. Matty Ryan was awarded the statistics-based Top Tackler Award. Jack Allen and Lewis Fry were jointly awarded the Coaches' award.

Latchford's six tries were scored by Matty Ryan (2), Thomas Byrne (2), Jack Allen and Lewis Fry Back to top

22/01/2006 v Pilkington Recs (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U9 - 20
Pilkington Recs U9 - 40

This was always going to be a David & Goliath fixture for Latchford with Pilks being a long established team and the Unicorns effectively a new team whose team has two thirds being completely new to the game of rugby this season. In the first half Latchford had a good start to the game offensively and scored three tries. Defensively however, the Unicorns just could not complete with the power and size of the Pilks players who racked up eight tries of their own.

Despite being down heavily at the break Latchford kept their nerve and managed another couple of tries in the second half. The Unicorns defence had more cohesion and managed to restrict their opponents to just two tries also, effectively drawing the second stanza. Overall the Unicorns played really well in the fixture and continued their steady improvement. Back to top

05/02/2006 v Golborne Parkside (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U9 - 16
Golborne Parkside U9 - 20

This was a highly spirited game played with perhaps alittle over aggression by two closely matched sides who had drawn earlier in the season. Latchford were first on the score sheet with a spectacular try from Thomas Byrne. Golborne replied with two tries of their own. Matthew Ryan then evened the scores with Latchford's second try. Just before half time Golborne scored their third try putting them in the lead at the interval.

The second half went much the same way with Latchford again hitting the score sheet first with a second try for Thomas Byrne, which even up the score at 12 points each. Golborne went back into the lead with their fourth try. Lewis Fry drew Latchford level again with a great drive all the way from the half way line. However, Lewis' try was initially inexplicably disallowed by the Golborne referee, frtunately it was later re-allowed by the "Video Referee"! Golborne scored a fifth try in the closing minutes to take the take the game.

Overall Latchford showed a much improved defence and continued to develop their attacking game with set plays and constant offloads. Matthew Grimshaw was given the Coaches' award for a great personal performance. Connor Byron was won the Statistics'-based Top Tackler Award. Thomas Byrne was voted the Player-of-the-Match by the Latchford Parents. Back to top

12/02/2006 v Clock Face (away)

Clock Face Miners U9 - 32
Latchford Albion Unicorns U9 - 12

This was another David & Goliath fixture for Latchford with their opponents, Clock Face being both physically and numerical much larger than Latchford. This was not to be Latchford's day. Just nine Unicorns were available for the match, of which only one is regularly used as a forward. Add to that the combination of rain and mud, which made the going very difficult. Yet despite all this, the Unicorns really put the effort in.

The Latchford backs played some good passing rugby with tries from Connor Bryon, James Waight and Thomas Byrne. Matthew Ryan put in a Herculean defensive effort, on many occasions stopping the very large Clock Face forwards single-handed. Clock face were able to target the smallest players in the Latchford line with one-man drives from very large forwards, which at this level is very effective.

On a positive note none of the Clock Face backs managed to break the Latchford line and their forwards were stopped every time they tried to break past an Albion forward. Conversely the Unicorns backs regularly broke though the home side's line and, in fact, scored all the Latchford tries. All in all this was a great team effort. Matthew Ryan won the Statistics-based top tackler award, Connor Byron was given the Coaches' award and James Waight was voted player of the match by the Latchford parents. Back to top

19/02/2006 v Crosfields Cobras (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U9 - 16
Crosfields Cobras U9 - 28

This was a good game from a Latchford perspective despite the result. Hard work done in training has really started to pay off. It's games like this that make it all worth while. Latchford may not have won the game, but they worked together as a team and put the effort in. Most Parents found it difficult to single out any one player for the player of the match award but those who could and the opposition referee selected Matthew Ryan's contribution of a hat trick of tries as particularly noteworthy. Matthew Grimshaw scored the other Unicorns try. Topping the tackle count was Jack Allen while the Coaches' Award went to Nat Hannon. Back to top

26/02/2006 v Halton Farnworth Hornets (away)

Halton Farm Hornets U9 - 32
Latchford Albion Unicorns U9 - 36

This was the Latchford Under 9's best performance to date. With only seven players available for the fixture against a Hornets' squad of twice that many, the odds were once again against stacked against the Albion. However, the young Unicorns are now used to being the underdogs. Halton opened the scoring in the first set of six. Latchford immediately replied with a try of their own. This set the pattern for the whole game with each team going tit-for-tat on the score card. Latchford eventually coming out on top.

Every player on the small Latchford Squad put in a big effort, with personal bests for many of them. Scoring the tries for Latchford were Matthew Ryan (4), Thomas Byrne (3), Lewis Fry and Connor Byron. Connor was selected as Player-of-the-Match, Thomas Byrne picked up the Coaches' Award, while Alex Norris was the most improved player. Matthew Ryan was top tackler. Back to top

19/03/2006 v Mayfield Mustangs (away)

Mayfield Mustangs U9s - 40
Latchford Albion Unicorns U9s - 32

This was a good friendly game. Latchford put a good effort with steady improvements in both offensive and defence. Latchford registered eight tries and narrowly lost out by just two scored. Two Albion players grabbed hat tricks, namely Matthew Ryan and Connor Byron and there was a try each for Thomas Byrne and James Waight. Player-of-the-Match was Jack Allen, while Nat Hannon was chosen for the Coaches' Award. Matthew Grimshaw showed the most improvement and Matthew Ryan topped the tackle count. Back to top

09/04/2006 v Blackbrook Royals (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U9s - 8
Blackbrook Royals U9s - 40

Having played just one game since February it was god to be back on the playing field and to continue the development of these young Unicorns. This performance was a very good effort from the developing Latchford side. Latchford played a great defensive game keeping Blackbrook confined to their own half for most of the first half. Matthew Ryan and top tackler Thomas Byrne both scored for the Albion. Unfortunately, Matthew Ryan had to be rushed to A&E half way though the second half with a suspected broken collar bone after falling badly in a tackle. Fortunately x-rays proved there to be no broken bones just a very sore shoulder. Connor Byron was selected as player-of-the-match and Lewis Fry picked up the Coaches' award. Back to top

23/04/2006 v Culcheth Eagles (away)

Culcheth Eagles U9s 28
Latchford Albion Unicorns U9s 56

Culcheth only had seven players so James Waight and Grant Corroboy volunteered to play the first half for Culcheth, while Alex Foster and Elliot Fry volunteered to play the second half, consequently all four were selected for the Coaches' award

This was a good result for the developing Latchford side. The coaches experimented with some players in different positions. The is essential to the development of young players as no-one can predict at 8 and 9 years of age where any player will settle. Usual prop Mat Ryan played centre, halfback Connor Byron switched to the forwards and wingers Lewis Fry and Jack Allen move to the halfback berths. Not all the payers were disciplined enough to stick to the new roles and responsibilities but that's someting for the coaches to work on.

The game proved to be a real score-fest, with hat tricks for Connor Byron, Lewis Fry and player-of-the-match, Jack Allen. Thomas Byrne scored four tries and James Wraight also crossed once. Matthew Ryan was top tackler. Back to top

30/04/2006 v Ince Rose Bridge (home)

Latchford Albion U9s - 8
Ince Rose Bridge U9s - '38'

This was never a game Latchford were going to win. Ince are a very strong, well-trained and developed team. In David & Goliath fixtures like this the score line is meaningless what counts is how much the players developed and on that basis the Unicorns did a great job today. Latchford only had nine players available and lost two of those to injury and a third to poor discipline.

Despite this the developing Latchford side put in a great performance today. The Unicorns have been doing a lot of work on their passing game in training and today they really let the ball do the work. On three occasions Latchford even got the ball to the wing before the Ince defence advanced and created an overlap.

Mat Ryan and Thomas Byrne scored Latchford's tries. Lewis Fry was voted the player-of-the-match, Nat Hannon was the Coaches Award winner and Eliiott Fry was adjudged the most improved player. Jack Allen was Top Tackler. Back to top