WELCOME TO THE LATCHFORD ALBION WEBSITE - WHERE RUGBY LEAGUE BEGINS, DEVELOPS AND ENDURES

Return to index

U18 2007-08

02/09/2007 v Langworthy Reds (away)

23/09/2007 v Wigan St Judes (home)

30/09/2007 v Barrow Island (away)

21/10/2007 v Folly Lane (away)

28/10/2007 v Crosfields (away)

04/11/2007 v Orrell St James (away) NWC Cup preliminary round

25/11/2007 v Wigan St Jude's (away)

02/12/2007 v Leyland Warriors (home)

13/01/2008 v Thatto Heath Crusaders (home) National Cup 1st Round

27/01/2008 v Folly Lane (home)

03/02/3008 v Crosfield Cobras (home)

02/03/2008 v Langworthy Reds (home)

16/03/2008 v Thatto Heath Crusaders (home)

02/09/2007 v Langworthy Reds (away)

Langworthy Reds U18 - 28
Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 8

This was a poor team performance on a ground which has not been the happiest hunting ground in previous years. With both sides only able to field 14 players, a good start to the game was vital and so it proved to be. Langworthy soon flew into a 12-0 lead and then this was extended of some excellent individual play to 18-0. Latchford then started to get into there rythmn and got on the scoresheet just before half time to go in
at the break 18-6 down.

In the second half Latchford played some dumb football and fail to complete there early posession or playing to flat not able to make use of the room created. Langworthy again scored a couple of tries but, to their credit, the young Unicorns kept playing and got over
the line again. All aspects of the game must improve this week for the visit of Askem. Although it is not all doom and gloom after this poor start to the league campaign with players becoming available each week, this week should see the return to action of Dave Walker, Ben Burrows amd Andy Hayes. Returning player Danny Brown may also be in the mix for selection, with other players to return in the next couple of weeks - the futures bright, the futures Maroon. Back to top

09/09/2007 v Askam (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 50
Askam U18 - 16

This was the first meeting between Latchford and Askam at Under 18s and it proved to be a physical encounter. Latchford started well completing sets and showing real aggression. Latchford were unfortunate to go 0-4 down to two converted penalties for being too aggressive in defence. Once Latchford settled into their rythmn and began to play at first going 6-4 up with some good handling and swift attack from the back
line and as the result of some earlier tough defence Asam began to tire. Latchford kept up the momentum to run in another 6 tries in a very strong end to the half. Ht score 38-6

In the second half Askam came out determined to stay in the game and it proved to be an excellent half, with Latchford scoring after around 10 minutes after early stalemate for the early part of the game. Latchford again forced more errors from Askam with some very
strong defence leading to there final try of the game.Askam never stopped coming and with the Latchford taking their foot off the gas in the last 10 minutes Askam scored 2 unconverted tries to end the scoring.

The game was played in an excellent spirit with some strong defence by both sides and some good flowing rugby, also to be noted there were no penalties for punching or deliberate foul play, a credit to both sides. A complement to the players and referee in this
game.

Tries: Burrows, Reynolds 2, Levenston 2, Mason, Kennedy, Smith, Hayes.
Goals; Smith 6, Mason

Team: Pendlebury, Burrows, Levenston, Reynolds, Hayes, Green, Mason, Fleming, Walker, Smith, Kennedy, Jones, Harris, Mather, Brown, Crosby, Litherland Back to top

16/09/2007 v Hindley (away)

Hindley U18 - 60
Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 0

Well, what can you say? Back to top

23/09/2007 v Wigan St Judes (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 12
Wigan St Jude's U18 - 4

This was a Jeckyll and Hyde performance, which was filled with some poor discipline, some excellent play and an excellent spirit shown by the young Unicorns. A large St. Judes side came to Latchford determined to get their first win of the season and after spurning an excellent opportunity, Latchford went down the field and scored in the corner. Latchford had just begun to get into the accendency, when substitute Ian Harris was sent from the field for alleged decent. With another player sin-binned at half time, Latchford went in at half time 4-0 up but with only 11 men on the field.

In the second half latchford came out and matched their opponents who were getting more and more frustrated with their constant inability to complete possession. Latchford again capitalised on St. Judes errors and having 12 players on the field to score again for an 8-0 lead. As the game ebbed and flowed penalties became the erratic penalties became a more prevalent fact with the referee giving St. Judes numerious set of tackles on the Unicorns line, eventially allowing St. Judes to score in the corner to make it 8-4. With the Unicorns getting frustrated at this penality feast more words were spoken to the
referee and then there was 11, with a further sin-binning for the grapple tackle Latchford were reduced to 10 players. This did not stop Latchford who managed to score there third
and final try and defend with real passion not to allow St Judes a sniff. Final score 12-4 Latchford.

This game also saw the debut of Reece Burley who performed well in the half backs during the game.

Try scorers: Dave Levenston, Mark Smith, Martin Whitehead.
Goals: None

Team: Green, Mather, Leverston, Thompson, Hayes, Mason, Burley, Fleming, Walker, Smith, Kennedy, Tilley, Whitehead. Crosby, Jones, Harris. Back to top

30/09/2007 v Barrow Island (away)

Barrow Island U18 - 24
Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 10 Back to top

21/10/2007 v Folly Lane (away)

Folly Lane U18 - 4
Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 27

This was the first time that the team had travelled to an away fixture with a full 17 man squad and what a difference it made. With an excellent start in this match Latchford progressed to an early lead. Once Folly Lane had woke up and there pace got going the
game slowed but latchfords defence was superb and whether the storm, before a clean break from player of the match Liam Kennedy lead to a third try and helped
close out the half 15-0

In the second half Folly Lane came out hard and put pressure on the Latchford defence, getting on the score sheet to bring the score back to 15-4. The lads then rallied themselves and completed more and more and with Folly tiring Latchford were given room and played some excellent rugby to complete a 27-4 win.

The game also saw the return of Sam Mitchell who returned from Crosfields and a welcome return from injury of Declan Wernham after a pre season injury and work committments. Both lads aquitted themselves very well.

Tries: Kennedy 2, Thompson, Smith, Walker
Goals: Brown, Smith 2
Drop Goal: Kennedy

Team: Pendlebury, Burrows, Levenston, Reynolds, Hayes, Brown, Green, Fleming, Walker, Mitchell, Kennedy, Thompson, Smith, Mather, Crosby, Litherland, Wernham Back to top

28/10/2007 v Crosfields (away)

Crosfields U18 - 12
Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 19

This was the first meeting of these two sides in more than two years and the gap between the sides had really narrowed. The game also gained added spice with the
return to Latchford from Crosfields in the last fortnight of Sam Mitchell and also Ash Pemberton playing for Crosfields after leaving the Unicorns in the summer. Latchford got off to their normal slow start and gifted soap the lead with some early mistakes. This allowed crosfields to cross in the corner for a 4-0 lead. Latchford struck back shortly after when the excellent Kennedy broke the line to score near the posts. After more tit for tat play, Latchford went further ahead when Kennedy broke the line again from a ball from the scrum. Brown converted to give Latchford a 4-10 lead. A debatable decision reduced Latchford to 12 men and after sustained pressure Crosfields again score out wide, but failed to convert to make the half time score 8-10.

In the start of the second half and with Latchford back to full complement Crosfields took a lead with a well worked move in the corner. Latchford now picked up the tempo and the pressure lead to a penalty under the sticks which Brown converted to bring the scores
level. With the improved tempo Latchford scored an excellent try with Kennedy completing his hatrick under the posts, with Brown converting. A moment of ill discipline reduced Crosfields to 12 men, Latchford failed with the goal attempt but regained the ball,
going down field and getting in position for Brown to put over a drop goal to stretch the lead to 12-19. With 15 minutes to go Latchford shut the game down completed their possession and kicked well and earned an excellent win, with a solid team performnce in
which every player contributed to this victory.

Tries: Kennedy 3
Goals: Brown 3 and 1 Drop Goal

Team: Green, Mather, Reynolds, Pendlebury, Hayes, Brown, Mason, Fleming, Walker, Mitchell, Wernham, Thompson, Kennedy, Crosby, Litherland Back to top

04/11/2007 v Orrell St James (away) NWC Cup preliminary round

Orrell St.James U18 - 24
Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 10

Having drawn Premier Division Leaders Orrell St.James in the North West Counties Cup, the Unicorns were determined to make a statement and carry there good recent form into this game. With the obigitory generous start from Latchford, allowing their opponents to score, the game was always going to be tough. The Unicorns struck back straight away and took the lead after some Orrell mistakes. The game moved on with both teams matching each other, penalties then lead to Orrell getting onto the Latchford try line and this lead to the Wigan side adding to there score. Ht score: 10-6

At the start of the 2nd half the 1st points were crucial and so it proved, with Orrell catching the Unicorns napping and moving further away. Latchford again fought hard to get back into the game and then again the referee was the deciding factor, getting Orrell to the Unicorns line and once there Orrell made no mistake scoring near the sticks. Latchford again fought back to score with some excellent individual skill. With the clock ticking Orrell converted a penalty this proved to be the last points in the game and made the final score 24-10.

This game also marked the debut of Dave Gaskell for the Unicorns and saw Kennedy stretch his individual try scoring streak to 7 in the last 4 matches.

Tries: Smith and Kennedy
Goals: Smith

Team: Pendlebury, Green, Levenston, Thompson, Hayes, Whitehead, Mason, Fleming, Walker, Mitchell, Kennedy, Crosby, Smith, Wernham, Gaskell, Litherland. Back to top

11/11/2007 v Askam (away)

Askam U18 - 14
Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 26

With injuries and work committments taking their toll, Latchford were only able to travel to Askem with 11 players. This did not deter the players who were in excellent spirits after their early season 50 point romp against Askem at Victoria Park. After a well observed minutes silence, this also became a day to live long in the memory. After completing 5 sets back to back Latchford broke their hosts and supported well to score. With their tails up Latchford took the game to Askem who had a two man advantage, but failed to make us of it and with the hosts becoming more impatient, Latchford again broke through after quick play the balls and some excellent short passes. Latchford then scored after some good second phase rugby created an overlap on the outside to score, again converted to give an 18-0 lead to Latchford.

In the second half Askem came more into the game and after some sloppy play score three quick tries to get the score to 18-14. After getting together and calming down, going back to the inital game plan Latchford whethered the storm and then score a break
away try from the scrum with some excellent support play to stretch the lead once again. With the their tails back up and confidence restored Latchford found the gaps and scored again out wide to stretch their lead to 8 points. Latchford were then asked to defend
for the longest 10 mins in history or so it felt, to record an excellent win. The whole team showed excellent spirit and every player was well worth a mention. Dave Walker was
selected as man of the match by the Askem Coaching team.

Tries: Levenston 2, Hayes, Mather, Kennedy
Goals: Smith 3

Team: Levenston, Mather, Pendlebury, Thompson, Hayes, Smith, Mitchell, Walker, Fleming, Kennedy, Crosby Back to top

18/11/2007 v Hindley (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 24
Hindley U18 - 6

Having been low on numbers and poor away at Hindley earlier this season, Latchford were determined to make a point against the league leaders. Confident from recent form and aware that to catch hindley only a win would suffice, latchford started off in determined mood with some hard hitting defence. This led to Latchford taking the early lead when exerting some pressure from an Hindley mistake. The game then settled into a rythem of attack and kick by both sides on this heavy pitch. Hindley then showed why they are league leaders pounching on a Latchford error to race 60 meters and score an excellent converted try. Latchford nerves were settled with a converted penalty. This is how the half finished with Latchford holding a slender lead at 8-6.

Latchford kick off from the second half focussed and back on task and so it proved with Latchford again scoring an early converted try. Hindley's lack of players to interchange then came into the equasion as they began to tire. After holding out against the increasing stream of attacks Hindley conseeded a penalty 20 meters out from there own posts and Latchford converted there dominance into more points with another converted try. By now Latchford were begining to roll forward in waves and the final try of the afternoon came from a kick when the ball fell to winger Hayes to score in the corner. from this point on Latchford closed down the game for another excellent win.

Latchford were again outstanding across the board, but credit must go to Mark Smith for his Man of the Match performance after his excellent 1st team performance yesterday, for which he also got Man of the Match. Craig Fleming and Andy Hayes also played for the 1st team yesterday and were outstanding.

Tries. Smith 2, Kennedy, Hayes
Goals. Smith 4

Team: Levenston, Mather, Pendlebury, Thompson, Hayes, Smith, Green, Fleming, Walker, Gaskell, Mitchell, Wernham, Kennedy, Crosby, Litherland. Back to top

25/11/2007 v Wigan St Jude's (away)

Wigan St Jude's U18 - 16
Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 28

After a very solid display last week verses Hindley, confidence was high going to face St. Judes. Latchford started safely and completed early possession. With the early possession came chances for Latchford to take the lead, but as last week these
were spurned. After being in the game after 10 minutes started to gain in confidence and after some Latchford ill discipline gave them field position, crossed the line for the opening try of the game. This sprung Latchford into action and after some sustained
pressure Latchford scored and converted to make the score 4-6. Having squandered to much possession and having a player sin binned Latchford again conceeded a
try and the hosts were in the assendency. Shortly after converting a penalty to stretch their lead to 12-6. Latchford managed to control the ball late on in the half and came away with a try in the corner 12-10. Latchford spurned several chances to kick at goal, on for the St. Judes line to remain intact. The half time score being 12-10.

After that first half things had to improve and endowed with a new sence of confidence Latchford started the 2nd half. with Latchford back to basics and the errors stopped and pressure being exerted, Latchford lost their second player to the sin bin for 10 minutes, this allowed St. Judes to score in the corner to stretch there lead to 16-10. When a special was needed Latchford cranked up finally and as St. Judes began to tire first got back to equal terms when scoring under the posts and then in the last 10 minutes of the game two brillent individual efforts and some solid goal kicking gave Latchford the 12
point cushion and shut the game down by finally controlling the ball. Latchford gave debuts to Chris Brown and Ryan McDonnell in this game, with the boot of Chris Brown closing the game out with to superb conversions late on.

Tries: Hayes, Mather, Smith, Kennedy, Levenston
Goals: Smith 2, C.Brown 2

Team: Pendlebury, Mather, Hayes, Levenston, Hayes, Smith, Brown, Fleming, Walker, Mitchell, Thompson, Crosby, Kennedy, Gaskell, Litherland Back to top

02/12/2007 v Leyland Warriors (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 18
Leyland Warriors U18 - 0 Back to top

13/01/2008 v Thatto Heath Crusaders (home) National Cup 1st Round

Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 16

Thatto Heath Crusaders U18 - 20

27/01/2008 v Folly Lane (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 20

Folly Lane U18 - 4

03/02/3008 v Crosfield Cobras (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 18

Crosfield Cobras U18 - 0

02/03/2008 v Langworthy Reds (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 10
Langworthy Reds U18 - 6

It felt a long time since the last league game away at St. Judes before Christmas, but the wait was well worth it as Latchford came out deserved winners in the physical top of the table clash. The first half started with Latchford coming out of the blocks quickly and after securing possession from a Langworthy error and then making more yards from a penalty put the first points on the board with a well taken try between the posts. Latchford continued the momentum following up with another try soon after, as a result of the forward dragging in the Langworthy defence and then moving the ball quickly to the backs to score out wide. On their next couple of attacks Latchford went close but just came up with errors on the final pass to keep the score at just 10-0 the half then became an arm wrestle with both sides playing to the kick and putting pressure on the opposition.

The second half started in much the same way as the first and with the wind now at their backs Langworthy came with more momentum. Latchford contained this and the game ebbed back and forth. As the game got closer to the end the game became more and more tense and it resulted in several altercations one of these lead to one player being dismissed from both sides. Langworthy adjusted better to this and scored from the resulting set of six tackles, Latchford defence then shored up again to hold out and win an excellent victory All the players on and off the pitch showed great attitude, with not all subs used on the day but showing good attitude and great support for the lads.

Tries: Levenston, Brown
Goals: Brown

Team: Hayes, Pendlebury, Brown, Smith, Mather, Harris, Whitehead, Fleming, Walker, Mitchell, Thompson, Kennedy, Levenston, Green, Litherland, Wernham, Crosby, McDonnell.

16/03/2008 v Thatto Heath Crusaders (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U18 - 36
Thatto Heath Crusaders U18 - 12

After the whole league season, it all finally came down to today, a four-pointer versus Thatto Heath Crusaders, with the winners to take the second place in the NWC Premier Division next season. Latchford and Thatto had never met in the league due to many factors the latest of which was the weather on a couple of occasions and a shortage of refs on the other.

Latchford dominated this game from the start with their physical defence and strong running. From the start BARLA International Liam Kennedy rampaged through the Thatto defence and it was not long before Latchford took the lead in this tie. Although not able to convert their tries Latchford led 12-6, scoring three tries to Thatto's one.

The second half saw Latchford step up a gear or two and, after some ferocious defence gained control of the game after Dave Levenston scored under the posts, this time Smith converted with the wind at his back and Latchford began to get on a roll. With more pressure building Kennedy completed his hat trick, Smith, Whitehead and Pendlebury also touched down to make the tie safe twenty minutes before the end. This allowed all the subs to get a run out and for Latchford to relax and finish off the game. Thatto scored with the last touch of the game to make the score more respectable in this one sided clash. The game was also notable as it was the debut of Alistair Massey who signed just this week from Priestley College.

On a personal note the coach would like to thank all the players who have played in this first season at Under 18s and feels that it is a real achievement to have made the Premiership at their first attempt. He would also like to thank the sponsors for there continuing support this year. Hard Labour Gym, Padgate Appliances, EMC Ltd, Royal Mail, TOTAL Structural Engineers Ltd, PENNY FERRY Public House

Try Scorers: Kennedy 3, Pendlebury, Levenston, Whitehead, Smith
Goals: Smith 4

Team: Hayes, Green, Smith, Tilley, Pendlebury, Harris, Whitehead, Kennedy, Walker, Mitchell, Thompson,
Crosby, Levenston, Litherland, Massey, McDonnell, Burley.

Squad Members Absent Today: Tom Mather, Dave Gaskell, Declan Wernham, Danny Brown, Craig Fleming, Ash Pemberton Back to top