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U16 2007-08

09/09/2007 v Pilkington Recs (home)

16/09/2007 v Haydock Warriors (away)

23/09/2007 v Leigh Miners Rangers (home)

07/10/2007 v Thatto Heath Crusaders (away)

14/10/2007 v Rochdale Mayfield (home)

04/11/2007 v Wigan St Jude's (home)

11/11/2007 v Leigh Miners Rangers (away)

18/11/2007 v Westhoughton Lions (away)

25/11/2007 v Thatto Heath Crusaders (home)

16/12/2007 v Culcheth Eagles (away), Warrington U16 Cup

06/01/2008 v Rochdale Mayfield Mustangs (home)

13/01/2008 v Haydock Warriors (home)

03/02/2008 v Rochdale Mayfield Mustangs (away)

24/02/2008 v Westhoughton Lions (home)

08/03/2008 v Crosfield Cobras (Gorsey Lane) Warrington Cup Final

09/09/2007 v Pilkington Recs (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U16 - 0
Pilkington Recs U13 - 38

This Latchford team has only played Pilks twice in the previous eight years; the last time was at Under 10 level and ended in a 38-0 defeat. This season Latchford have found themselves a league higher and asked to compete with teams playing against premiership teams a few months ago so it's going to be a good test each week for the lads.

Latchford kicked off the new campaign and found their visitors too hot to handle in the first ten minutes, running in three tries. Latchford had only managed two drives in that time and showed great character not to slink away. Instead they knuckled down to some tough tackling and stemmed the onslaught to some degree, even enjoying some pressure on their opponents' line before a killer try by Pilks on the stroke of half time made the scores 28-0 at the break.

The hard working forwards were rotated but, after just three minutes of the resumption, winger Phil O'Donnell left the field with a bloody nose to allow Callum O'Toole to enter the fray after last playing in May 2006. Pilks scored again shortly after but for the next twenty minutes Latchford took the game to their opponents who were forced to drop out twice to add to another in the first half. Getting up to the line became regular but getting over it proved illusive and it was a cruel blow when an interception under the Pilks sticks was run back the full length for a final try ten minutes before the end.

The score is something to skip over but there were lots of positives to take from the game not least of which was the character and never-say-die attitude of the Unicorns. Josh Stanger and Darryl Smith both reached the landmark of 100 club appearances. The tackle count was dominated by hooker Adam Yates-Dutton but seven others also reached double figures of which Jordan Stephenson and Adam Barnes were tops.

Team:
1. Jack Murray
2. Phil O'Donnell, 3. Lewis Litherland, 4. Josh Stanger, 5. Ash Pilling
6. John Hewitt, 7. Tom Wood
8. Joe Beswick, 9. Adam Yates-Dutton, 10. Adam Barnes
11. Tom McIntosh, 12. Matty Curran
13. Jordan Stephenson
Subs (all used): Darryl Smith, Shaun Pilling, Phil Atherton, Callum O'Toole Back to top

16/09/2007 v Haydock Warriors (away)

Haydock Warriors U16 - 46
Latchford Albion Unicorns U16 - 18

The opening ten minutes were promising for Latchford as they snuffed out any whiff of an opposition attack and scored a lovely early try when Joe Beswick, Adam Yates-Dutton and Adam Barnes moved the ball across to the right for Josh Stanger to crash over. John Hewitt added the extras. Cries of ?forward pass? fell on deaf ears as Haydock equalized and then burst down the Albion right again flank to take the lead. Jason Brookes was introduced for his Latchford debut after transfering from Rylands. Latchford failed to recognize the familiar pattern of attack from Haydock who again ran down the Latchford right to score another try. The Unicorns were still competing and after forcing a knock on launched a counter attack. John Hewitt threw left to Jordan Stephenson who found Matty Curran, quick hands got the ball out to Ash Pilling and the winger dived in at the corner. Unfortunately there was just enough time for Haydock to score again to make the half time score 22-10 to the home side.

After the break Latchford enjoyed some rare extended possession but failed to capitalize on a series of penalties and lost the ball early in one tackle count for an interception try. The next set saw another Haydock score and the game looked beyond reach. To add to their woes the Unicorns lost scrum half Tom McIntosh to a shoulder injury and were forced to reshuffle. Another try was conceded but this team showed again that they are no shirkers and once again rallied. Joe Beswick, enjoyed another great personal performance, backed up Adam Yates-Dutton's barnstorming run and collected a timely offload to crash over. Latchford then found themselves up on the Haydock line again but, whilst trying to keep the ball alive it was snapped up and run back the full length for a killer try. A short kick off was gathered by Stephenson who ran it up field before passing to Beswick who took it further. Barnes took the next run and then passed to Curran for the second rower to dive over for the last score of the game. Barnes and Jack Murray were top among the tacklers just ahead of Beswick, Stanger and Stephenson.

Team:
1. Jack Murray
2. Phil O?Donnell, 3. Lewis Litherland, 4. Josh Stanger, 5. Ash Pilling
6. John Hewitt, 7. Tom McIntosh
8. Joe Beswick, 9. Adam Yates-Dutton, 10. Adam Barnes
11. Darryl Smith, 12. Matty Curran
13. Jordan Stephenson
Subs (all used): Jason Brookes, Shaun Pilling, Callum O?Toole, Phil Atherton Back to top

23/09/2007 v Leigh Miners Rangers (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U16 - 50
Leigh Miners Rangers U16 - 0

Latchford haven't met Leigh Miners since going out of the Lancs Cup to them at U12 level. Any expectations of respect the visitors may have hoped for were quickly evaporated inside the first minute when an enforced error in their first set allowed Jordan Stephenson to collect the free ball and run through under the sticks and John Hewitt added the extras. The next Latchford set reached a kicking phase that Leigh knocked on giving possession back to the Unicorns. Four drives later and Ashley Pilling ran in on the right for a try that Hewitt converted. Hardworking forwards Darryl Smith and Joe Beswick were replaced by Jason Brookes and Shaun Pilling on the quarter hour mark as Latchford scored another try through a persistent wriggling run by Adam Yates-Dutton. Again Hewitt's kick was good. Six minutes before the interval it was clear that scrum half Tom McIntosh was still suffering from a shoulder injury picked up the week before. He went off as Callum O'Toole came on at wing and Lewis Litherland moved to half back. A couple of minutes later and Hewitt exploited a gap in the defensive line to jog over and give himself an easy conversion attempt. Just as half time approached Latchford scored two more, first Hewitt's cross field bomb was gathered by O'Toole on the left who ground for his first ever score. Then Stephenson and Yates-Dutton combined to put Lewis Litherland in under the sticks. Hewitt's goal took the half time score to 28-0.

After withstanding Leigh's efforts to get back into the game Latchford scored again after 16 minutes of the restart with O'Toole again getting on the end of a Hewitt punt. The hard working pack was continually rotated to keep the effort level high and legs fresh. Litherland dived over for his second six minutes later and Hewitt added the extras. On the stroke of full time everyone was delighted when player-of-the-match, Phil O'Donnell scooted over for a well-deserved try and Hewitt's seventh goal brought up the half century. Litherland and O'Donnell were top tacklers in Latchford's most comprehensive victory for four seasons.

Team:
1. Jack Murray
2. Phil O'Donnell, 3. Lewis Litherland, 4. Josh Stanger, 5. Ash Pilling
6. John Hewitt, 7. Tom McIntosh
8. Joe Beswick, 8. Adam Yates-Dutton, 10. Adam Barnes
11. Darryl Smith, 12. Matty Curran
13. Jordan Stephenson
Subs (all used): Jason Brookes, Callum O'Toole, Shaun Pilling, Phil Atherton Back to top

30/09/2007 v Waterhead (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U16 - 0
Waterhead U16 - 48

A couple of big hits that saw the Waterhead prop limp from the field suggested great things to come but then a ragged defensive line allowed gaps that were exploited for the first try inside a minute. This was the pattern for the first half as Latchford were starved of possession and the visitors ran in six first half tries, four of which they converted to lead 32-0 at the break.

A brighter second half saw the Unicorns with ball in hand more often and forced three goal line drop outs, whilst Shaun Pilling went closest, being held up over the line. The much slicker and organized Waterhead side had to wait until ten minutes before the end to add to their first half tally and, with tiredness apparent, scored a couple more at the death to ensure Latchford had nothing to show for their efforts.

Hooker Adam Yates-Dutton dominated the tackle count ahead of Josh Stanger, Lewis Litherland, John Hewitt and Joe Beswick. Phil O'Donnell tackled hard carrying on from his previous week's efforts and Callum O'Toole enjoyed greater game time with a solid display on the left wing.

Team:
1. Jack Murray
2. Phil O'Donnell, 3. Lewis Litherland, 4, Josh Stanger, 5. Ash Pilling
6. John Hewitt, 7. Tom McIntosh
8. Joe Beswick, 9. Adam yates-Duton, 10. Adam barnes
11. Darryl Smith, 12. Matty Curran
13. Jordan Stephenson
Subs (all used): Callum O'Toole, Jason Brookes, Shaun Pilling & Phil Atherton Back to top

07/10/2007 v Thatto Heath Crusaders (away)

Thatto Heath Crusaders U16 - 14
Latchford Albion Unicorns U16 - 18

When the Thatto Heath loose forward chipped over near the line and then caught the ball unchallenged to score at the end of the first set, the omens did not look good for Latchford to register a first ever win over the Crusaders in their fifth pairing. A head high tackle gave the Unicorns some good field position and within four minutes they were level. Scrum half Tom McIntosh saw his pass to Adam Barnes had been cut off and so dodged back inside, alluded two tacklers to score under the posts. A John Hewitt conversion put Latchford in the lead by two points. The lead lasted just six minutes as another kick through was gathered by the Thatto right centre who scored a converted try. With the first stanza half way through Thatto extended that lead further running round from the base of the scrum. The completion rate of Latchford was better than that of their opponents but the St Helens team was looking more potent. Fresh legs were brought on in the shape of Jason Brookes and Luke Hickman. Almost immediately Hickman showed his worth as Thatto looked bound to score in their left corner but Luke came from nowhere to effect a great try stopping challenge that saw the ball spilled for a Latchford scrum. Half time score 14-6 to Thatto Heath.

The home side were penalized immediately after the resumption for ripping the ball and this seemed to dictate the way the half would go. Latchford mounted an attack that ended with Thatto dropping out from under their sticks. Phil Atherton entered the fray and immediately spun away from the dangerous loose forward to gain valuable yards. The penalty count mounted against Thatto Heath and Latchford began to assert themselves. Even so, it was the Crusaders who nearly scored first as they kicked long on the first tackle after a scrum deep in their half, the Thatto chaser looked to have got away from Jack Murray but the never say die attitude of the Latchford full back kept him in the race and ultimately force a knock on over the line. Dissent and kicking the ball away saw the home side reduced to 12 players for a ten minute period. Another high tackle and Latchford were back in the Thatto half. A couple of drives later and Jordan Stephenson kicked over the defensive line for Hewitt to collect and then deliver a timely pass back inside for Stephenson to ground under the sticks. Hewitt added the extras. Ill discipline led to Thatto being reduced further as a player was sent off. Another Stephenson kick finished in another Latchford try for the loose forward as he chased it down himself and pressurized the defender into giving the ball back to him. The conversion attempt failed but Latchford were now in the lead. Another home player was then dismissed but sadly this meant that Ash Pilling could take no further part as his eye swelled up as a result of the incident. It was important that Latchford kept their heads, pun fully intended, and not lose sight that a win was theirs for the taking. A third sending off followed and John Hewitt, celebrating his 175th appearance for the club, kicked over a penalty to extend the lead further. Latchford were also reduced in numbers after holding down in the tackle too long but the job was done and the Unicorns ran out winners in several aspects. It was their highest completion rate of the season and the lowest tackle count used to do it. Adam Yates Dutton and Joe Beswick were jointly top of the tackle count.

Team:
1. Jack Murray
2. Phil ODonnell, 3. John Hewitt, 4. Josh Stanger, 5. Callum OToole
6. Lewis Litherland, 7. Tom McIntosh
8. Joe Beswick, 9. Adam Yates Dutton, 10. Adam Barnes
11. Darryl Smith, 12. Matty Curran
13. Jordan Stephenson
Subs (all used): Jason Brookes, Luke Hickman, Phil Atherton, Ash Pilling Back to top

14/10/2007 v Rochdale Mayfield (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U16 - 4
Rochdale Mayfield Mustangs U16 - 26

Latchford went into this game in confident mood knowing their opponents had managed just one win all season. With six minutes gone Jordan Stephenson fed Lewis Litherland who dived over to open the scoring. Everything seemed to be going according to plan. Unfortunately the Unicorns found retaining the ball difficult and so put themselves under undue pressure. Six penalties were conceded in the first half, which is more than in the whole of any game so far this season. It was never a dirty game but the official did his job and the game became stifled. There was no further score in the half and very few chances.

The second half continued in the same pattern with another five penalties giving Rochdale an incredible amount of possession and forcing Latchford into their biggest tackle count of the season. In fact it ended 35 tackles higher than any tackle count in their history. Rochdale were granted an unbelievable 43 sets and so it was only a matter of time before they gained at least one scoring chance. It came with 16 minutes remaining after a penalty for holding down and another for offside took the visitors deep into Latchford territory. The next set saw a second try and the extended defensive duties took its toll. Not helped that last season?s top tackler Jordan Stephenson had retired from the game with a hand injury Latchford conceded three further tries and, to add insult to injury, had a player sin binned for ungentlemanly conduct.

Six players registered twenty or more tackles with another six in double figures. Joint leaders of the tackle count were Tom McIntosh and Adam Yates-Dutton just ahead of Joe Beswick, Josh Stanger, Lewis Litherland and Darryl Smith. Conversely it was the lowest amount of carries and offloads of the campaign.

Team:
1. Jack Murray
2. Phil O'Donnell, 3. John Hewitt, 4. Josh Stanger, 5. Ash Pilling
6. Lewis Litherland, 7. Tom McIntosh
8. Joe Beswik, 9. Adam Yates-Dutton, 10. Adam Barnes
11. Darryl Smith, 12. Matty Curan
13. Jordan Stephenson
Subs (all used): Jason Brookes, Callum O'Toole, Phil Atherton Back to top

04/11/2007 v Wigan St Jude's (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U16 - 0
Wigan St Jude's U16 - 54

When Latchford were paired with the top under 16 side in the North West Counties, and therefore possibly the country, they knew it was going to be tough. The two sides had only ever met twice before, at under 9 and 10 levels and over those meetings the Wiganers had amassed 100 points. So how would Latchford fare today especially with a fortnight lay off and their previous game seeing their most disappointing performance of the season to date? Preparations were not helped by stand off Lewis Litherland and prop Adam Barnes being absent but this did allow Jason Brookes his first start of the campaign and a debut for Chris Meacock after his transfer from Rylands. Meacock was handed the number six jersey in a baptism of fire that allowed him to show his superb defensive qualities as a fitting replacement for the hard tackling Litherland.

Within two minutes Joe Beswick was forced into the blood bin when his nose driped the traditional Unicorns claret onto the borrowed white jersey. He was back into the fray just over a quarter of an hour later but by this time the visitors were ten points up. All witnesses agreed that Latchford had started better than expected and contained their Premiership opponents but, sadly, unforced silly errors crept in and possession was coughed up too easily. Two more tries before the break ensured there would be no fairy tale ending to this North West Counties cup tie with St Judes 22 points up at the break.

A penalty for crossing when in possession on the first tackle of a set was punished three consecutive tries in the opening eight minutes and that should have been it. Despite the score line reading 40 points to the visitors Latchford continued to battle away and held their opponents at bay until the last ten minutes when the constant defending led to inevitable tiredness and bigger gaps to exploit. Wigan crossed three more tries but Latchford did manage to threaten the opposition line with Jason Brookes and Tom McIntosh both coming close to scoring only to be halted at the whitewash. John Hewitt and Shaun Pilling put in their highest personal tackle counts of the season so far, Adam Yates-Dutton amassed over twenty tackles for the fourth time but the plaudits must go to Meacock who topped the tackle count with the third highest personal tally ever in his first game.

Team:
1. Jack Murray
2. Phil O'Donnell, 3. John Hewitt, 4. Josh Stanger, 5. Callum O'Toole
6. Chris Meacock, 7. Tom McIntosh
8. Joe Beswick, 9 Adam Yates-Dutton, 10. Jason Brookes
11. Darryl Smith, 12. Matty Curran
13. Jordan Stephenson
Subs (all used): Shaun Pilling, Ash Pilling, Phil Atherton Back to top

11/11/2007 v Leigh Miners Rangers (away)

Leigh Miners Rangers U16 - 16
Latchford Albion Unicorns U16 - 2

Latchford were masters of their own demise again as they struggle to get back to try scoring ways let alone winning ways. It was the same old story, tremendous defence and ample sets to attack but possession given away cheaply. It was the Unicorns who took the lead after 11 minutes when John Hewitt kicked over a penalty. However, in a half when they had the ball for fifteen sets, to only complete five is criminal. Six knock ons, a forward pass and three kicks before the fifth tackle allowed the home side to mount their own attacks and from one on the quarter hour mark they scored an unconverted try. The game was still in the balance as there were no further scores to the break and Latchford would be going downhill in the second half.

How prophetic those words were as it was not a literal downhill but a metaphoric one that Latchford ventured along. Kicking early in the set can sometimes be beneficial to turn a team around but it also means that you sacrifice possession and usually when the ball is to be played out among players. In this game they reached the 6th tackle just twice, once in each half, and the second time was when a prop kicked from dummy half after another early kick was gathered back. As a consequence the half backs had little opportunity to influence the game. Five more knock ons and three losses of possession meant that the Unicorns coughed up possession early in all but three of their thirteen sets in the second half. Leigh enjoyed half a dozen more sets and scored two more tries, one converted and a penalty to seal their victory 16-2.

Obviously a lot defending was required to restrict the opposition scoring opportunities and it is no surprise that it was the second highest tackle count of the season and the third of all time. Chris Meacock continued to show his defensive qualities with a personal tally just one short of the record of 31 in a game, Adam Yates-Dutton was just three tackles behind him. Phil Atherton also put in his personal best count of the season.

Team:
1. Phil O'Donnell
2. Jack Murray, 3. Lewis Litherland, 4. Josh Stanger, 5. Ash Pilling
6. Chris Meacock, 7. Tom McIntosh
8. Joe Beswick, 9. Adam Yates-Dutton, 10. Darryl Smith
11. Matthew Curran, 12. John Hewitt
13. Jordan Stephenson
Subs (all used): Adam Barnes, Jason Brookes, Callum O'Toole, Phil Atherton Back to top

18/11/2007 v Westhoughton Lions (away)

Westhoughton Lions U16 - 16
Latchford Albion Unicorns U16 - 12

Another defeat but this was a much improved performance from the previous debacle at Leigh MR. The usual Westhoughton quagmire greeted Latchford's 200th competitive game but, for the most part, the rain kept off. Jordan Stephenson's birthday celebrations prevented his attendance at the game. During the pre-match warm up it became clear that Adam Yates-Dutton was not well enough to play and so a shuffle around allowed Callum O'Toole a rare start, this at centre as Lewis Litherland, making his 100th appearance, went to half back and Tom McIntosh took over the hooker role. Despite the muddy, slippery conditions there were relatively few knock ons and, although early kicking in the count was still proving fashionable, it was used to good effect on most occasions. As the game approached the ten minute mark Latchford were awarded a scrum following a knock on by their hosts. A penalty followed for not binding in and a good set ended with a kick that Westhoughton knocked on in front of their sticks. Chris Meacock moved round from the back of the scrum and utilized the dummy runner to dive in under the sticks for his first Latchford try. John Hewitt kicked over the conversion. Westhoughton launched a concerted counter attack and after 18 minutes they gathered from their own kick and scored an unconverted try. Six minutes later the Lions scored another despite a strong shout for a forward pass and so went into the break leading 8-6.

A minute after the break relief forward Jason Brookes was forced to retire from the game with a leg injury. With just five minutes of the half gone Hewitt kicked high and deep on the last, which was not dealt with by the defence and Jack Murray chased down and collected the ball back before timely releasing O'Toole to run through and score a try that marked his best game in a Latchford shirt to date. Again Hewitt added the extras. The scores were leveled shortly after as Westhoughton exploited an overlap on the Latchford left to score again. The game swung towards to home side after they forced Latchford to drop out from under their sticks and three drives later they dashed in down their left wing to score. There were just 4 points separating the sides but a series of bizarre decisions saw Latchford penalized and taken back 30 metres twice giving Westhoughton cheap field position. The game was still in the balance and a series of head high tackles brought Latchford back to the Westhoughton line but it was the Latchford captain who was talked to rather than the Lion offender. There was still time showing on the clock for Latchford to launch another attack when the referee blew his whistle and record books will show another narrow defeat at the hands of Westhoughton who still have the hex over the Unicorns. Joint top tacklers were Litherland and McIntosh just ahead of OToole.

Team:
1. Phil O'Donnell
2. Jack Murray, 3. Callum O'Toole, 4. Josh Stanger, 5. Ash Pilling
6. Chris Meacock, 7. Lewis Litherland
8. Joe Beswick, 9. Tom McIntosh, 10. Darryl Smith
11. Adam Barnes, 12. Matty Curran
13. John Hewitt
Subs (all used): Jason Brookes, Phil Atherton Back to top

25/11/2007 v Thatto Heath Crusaders (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U16 - 6
Thatto Heath Crusaders U16 - 16

If the dressing room pitch at Victoria Park resembled the Somme, then those expecting an associated violent confrontation similar to the reverse fixture a few weeks ago were to be disappointed as the game was a damp affair in many ways. Kicking early in the set is now a permanent feature of Latchford's play and so it's hardly surprising that spectators get to see a mammoth tackle count but very little scoring opportunities. Those players who want to pass seem worried that the set will be cut short and so throw the ball around on the second or third with the predictable consequence that it will be spilled and then it's back to defending again. A comedy of errors paved the way for Thatto Heath to open the scoring on 8 minutes with two knock-ons in the move and the referee slipping over whilst thirty yards behind the play, but the try counted and Latchford were on the back foot. Their problems were compounded 9 minutes later when a glaring missed tackle created a gap in the defensive line that was gratefully exploited and the visitors ran in a second try from 70m out. Fresh legs were brought on for the Unicorns, a luxury that the Crusaders didn't have on an energy-sapping pitch, but there was no oomph in the home side. Despite Joe Beswick being held up over the line once and Jack Murray just unable to gather the ball over the try line, there was no further score in the half and Latchford went in ten points down.

The second half was just three minutes old when Thatto extended their lead with a converted try out wide on their left. On the next set Jordan Stephenson gathered an excellent interception and ran through to score his fourth try of the season. John Hewitt kicked over his 200th career goal for the club to bring the scores back to a ten point gap. Latchford did threaten a couple of times but there were no further real clear cut opportunities for either side and the game fizzled out like a shell with its powder damp. Four players registered personal tallies of over 20 tackles. They were led by Adam Yates-Dutton with 29 followed by Chris Meacock, Josh Stanger and Lewis Litherland, with seven other players in double figures.

Team:
1. Phil O'Donnell
2. Jack Murray, 3. Lewis Litherland, 4. Josh Stanger, 5. Callum O'Toole
6. Chris Meacock, 7. Tom McIntosh
8. Joe Beswick, 9. Adam Yates-Dutton, 10. Darryl Smith
11. Adam Barnes, 12. Matty Curran
13. John Hewitt
Subs (all used): Jordan Stephenson, Jason Brookes, Ash Pilling & Phil Atherton Back to top

16/12/2007 v Culcheth Eagles (away), Warrington U16 Cup

Culcheth Eagles U16 - 0
Latchford Albion Unicorns U16 - 26

There was a new look to the Latchford side for this Warrington U16 Cup game against third division Culcheth Eagles. An ice skating injury meant Phil Atherton missed his first game since September 2005. After 160 appearances for Latchford Albion Unicorns Tom McIntosh was also missing after deciding to leave the club and end an association going back to November 2000. However, three players were handed their Unicorn debuts; Joe Green has transferred in from Crosfield Cobras, James Clough is another former Crosfield player and newcomer Jordan Melvin. On a bitterly cold day in the north of Warrington it was Culcheth who started the brighter and were trying to play the more inventive rugby without any real penetration. After 13 minutes Clough and Green linked up well with Chris Meacock who fed John Hewitt for a try under the sticks that Hewitt converted. Jason Brookes spelled Adam Barnes and Matty Curran came on for Darryl Smith before Latchford scored a second. The ball flowed from Adam Yates-Dutton to Meacock to Brookes to Hewitt and out to Green on the left wing whose neat inside pass put through Jordan Stephenson for an unconverted try. Jack Murray made way for Callum O'Toole to come on for a warm. A third unconverted try gave Latchford a 14-0 half time lead when the half backs Meacock and Stephenson found right centre Josh Stanger who crashed over to score.

Hewitt was allowed a rare rest on the sidelines along with hardworking prop Joe Beswick and centre Clough to allow Ash Pilling to come and Barnes and Smith to return. Just eight minutes after the restart Curran popped up in the right centre berth and passed out a beauty to the flying fullback Phil O'Donnell who ran in a fourth try. A minute later and Curran did it again, this time feeding O'Toole who scored in the corner. Beswick came on for Brookes, Hewitt returned at the expense of Barnes and Melvin came on for his first start relieving O'Toole. Curran's fine display was rewarded with a try of his own as he dived over for a try. There was no further score but Clough did come back to replace Stanger as Latchford kept a clean sheet to win 26-0. Lewis Litherland made twenty tackles to top the count just ahead of Meacock and Smith. The reward for winning is to play host to Crosfields in the semi final, whicjh has a special interest for several of the Latchford personnel and should renew acquaintances with Jamen Smith and Pat Reardon.

Team:
1. Phil O'Donnell
2. Joe Green, 3. James Clough, 4. Josh Stanger, 5. Jack Murray
6. Jordan Stephenson, 7. Chris Meacock
8. Joe Beswick, 9. Adam Yates-Dutton, 10. Darryl Smith
11. Adam Barnes, 12. John Hewitt
13. Lewis Litherland
Subs (all used): Jason Brookes, Matty Curran, Callum O'Toole, Ash Pilling, Jordan Melvin Back to top

06/01/2008 v Rochdale Mayfield Mustangs (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U16 - 42
Rochdale Mayfield Mustangs U16 - 0

The visitors arrived from Rochdale with just eleven players as Latchford were eager to avenge a defeat inflicted earlier in the season. The early stages saw good tackling stints from both Chris Meacock and Joe Beswick before John Hewitt took the ball towards the posts. Adam Yates-Dutton sent a long pass straight to winger Callum O'Toole who grounded over the line on 3 minutes. The conversion attempt failed. Latchford continued to press and twice failed to ground the ball over the line. The penalty count was becoming strongly in favour of Rochdale but, on 16 minutes, Meacock weaved his way over the line from close range for an unconverted try. On 22 minutes Meacock chipped over the defensive line and James Clough won the race to ground the ball for his first Latchford try in only his second game. John Hewitt goaled to give the Unicorns a 14-0 lead at half time. Substitutions were made at the break as Jack Murray came on for Callum O'Toole, and Adam Barnes for Joe Beswick

Two minutes after the resumption Jordan Stephenson scored from 20m out following a superb 40m run from Phil O'Donnell. Four minutes later O'Donnell got a well deserved try following a good inside pass from Meacock. John Hewitt kicked the goal. Latchford then came straight back following the kick off with Clough scoring his second try out wide but the goal attempt failed. Phil Atherton went on for Daryl Smith and Jordan Melvin for Joe Green. On 40 minutes Latchford scored the try of the day with Lewis Litherland passing to Stephenson who then passed to the supporting Yates-Dutton who finished off a 60m move to dive in at the corner for an unconverted try. Five minutes later and Latchford were reduced to twelve for the rest of the game and eleven for the next ten minutes following an altercation, this flattened the numerical advantage they had enjoyed for most of the game. The encounter now became a tense affair but, on 50 minutes, Hewitt scored from 20m out. He was unable to convert but did convert the final try of the game after Josh Stanger had scored. Meacock was the top tackler with Litherland and Clough close behind.

Team:
1. Phil O'Donnell
2. Joe Green, 3. James Clough, 4. Josh Stanger, 5. Callum O'Toole
6. Jordan Stephenson, 7. Chris Meacock
8. Joe Beswick, 9. Adam Yates-Dutton, 10. Daryl Smith
11. Jason Brookes, 12. John Hewitt
13. Lewis Litherland
Subs (all used): Jack Murray, Adam Barnes, Phil Atherton & Jordan Melvin Back to top

13/01/2008 v Haydock Warriors (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U16 - 29

Haydock Warriors U16 - 22

With Victoria Park enjoying its annual sub aqua season the venue for this game was switched to Sir Thomas Boteler School . Irrespective of the venue Latchford have never failed to beat Haydock in six previous meetings including the Under 12 Cup Final. The sudden influx of players and Luke Hickman making a rare appearance meant that there were twenty Unicorns eager to play. The game was just three minutes old when Chris Meacock put a chip kick over the Haydock line for Adam Yates-Dutton to gather and score by the posts. John Hewitt kicked the goal. Haydock were then awarded two consecutive penalties and capitalised by scoring a converted try out wide. Haydock were now in the ascendancy and scored another in the corner but the conversion attempt failed. Latchford stemmed the flow but with eleven minutes of the half left Haydock scored under the posts after a neat inside pass to the loose forward. The conversion gave the visitors a ten point lead. Chris Meacock suffered a knock to his already broken nose and was replaced by Luke Hickman as Joe Green went to scrum half with Luke on the wing. On 28 minutes Matty Curran went on a strong run before good hands sent the play out wide. James Clough then scored from acting half back at short range making it 10-16 at half time.

Adam Barnes came on for Joe Beswick and Jason Brookes for Daryl Smith for the second half. After just two minutes Haydock scored by the posts from a full length run from the wing position. Four minutes later Adam Yates-Dutton attacked the posts before passing to the supporting John Hewitt who scored and converted to reduce the deficit to six points. With fifteen minutes remaining Jordan Stephenson kicked over the defence and then hacked on for Joe Green to win the race and touch down for his first Latchford try, which Hewitt goaled to level the scores. Five minutes later John Hewitt kicked a drop goal to make it 23-22. Latchford then started to gain the upper hand forcing Haydock to drop out three times from under their own sticks, the third on 68 minutes resulted in Jordan Stephenson scoring from close range and Hewitt goaled again to seal the game 29-22 final score. Adam Yates Dutton was top tackler with 23, Lewis Litherland close behind on 20.

Team:

1. Phil O'Donnell

2. Joe Green, 3. James Clough, 4. Josh Stanger, 5. Jack Murray

6. Jordan Stephenson, 7. Chris Meacock

8. Joe Beswick, 9. Adam Yates-Dutton, 10. Daryl Smith

11. Matty Curran, 12. John Hewitt

13. Lewis Litherland

Subs (used): 14. Jason Brookes, 15. Luke Hickman, 16. Adam Barnes

Subs (not used): Phil Atherton, Jordan Melvin, Callum O'Toole, Ash Pilling

27/01/2008 v Waterhead (away)

Waterhead U16 - 59

Latchford Albion U16 - 6

With Chris Meacock suspended and Phil O'Donnell and Jason Brookes pulling out through illness the task against the table-toppers was always going to be difficult.To compound this Jack Murray and Joe Green were lost in transit. This meant that they were both on the bench while Phil Atherton went into the pack, Jordan Melvin onto the wing, Lewis Litherland to scrum half and Callum O'Toole to full back. After a poor, lethargic start Latchford found themselves 12-0 down after 10 minutes. The team was switched back to the original intended line up but Latchford managed to close the flood gates for just 10 minutes before going 18-0 down. The only positive play of the first half was a break by Lewis Litherland who passed to the supporting Adam Yates-Dutton who was tackled high whilst heading for a certain try under the posts. Waterhead then dominated the remainder of the half to lead 36-0 at the break.

The second half was slightly better in the fact that Latchford conceded less points and scored a try out wide by the supporting Jack Murray after good hands. John Hewitt converted. The score was 53-6 after this try, Waterhead then scored one final try to leave a final score of 59-6. Adam Yates-Dutton was again the top tackler ahead of Lewis Litherland and Josh Stanger.

Team:

1. Callum O'Toole

2. James Clough, 3. Matty Curran, 4. Josh Stanger, 5. Jordan Melvin

6. Jordan Stephenson, 7. Lewis Litherland

8. Joe Beswick, 9. Adam Yates-Dutton, 10. Darryl Smith

11. Adam Barnes, 12. Phil Atherton

13. John Hewitt

Subs (all used): Jack Murray & Joe Green

03/02/2008 v Rochdale Mayfield Mustangs (away)

Rochdale Mayfield Mustangs U16 - 4

Latchford Albion Unicorns U16 - 48

With a player suspended, a couple succumbing to illness or injury and another so ill he apparently couldn't contact anyone Latchford travelled to Rochdale with fifteen players. It is just four weeks since the Albion made the same journey and the Mustangs must be happy to finally see the back of the Unicorns. The opening moments were littered with knock ons before Latchford mastered the windy conditions and Jason Brookes scored his first ever Latchford try out wide on seven minutes, which John Hewitt converted. Six minutes later Latchford kicked deep into the corner and Callum O'Toole forced an error which resulted in a Latchford scrum that Matty Curran scored straight from and Hewitt added the extras. On the quarter of an hour mark Hewitt went on a long, arcing run from his own half to score out wide and then goal. Latchford continued to dominate as Adam Yates-Dutton made a break from dummy half to feed the supporting Lewis Litherland on the line for a try, which was converted to make the half time score 0-24.

During the interval Jordan Melvin came on for Josh Stanger and Phil Atherton replaced Joe Beswick. The first ten minutes of the second half saw Latchford score similar tries with good passing out wide and finished off first by Phil O'Donnell, then James Clough and Brookes, none were converted. Hewitt grabbed his second from the base of a scrum and converted. Twenty minutes in and Yates-Dutton was held up over the line but Brookes completed his hat trick from the next play and Hewitt goaled. Brookes became the first player this season and the ninth player ever to register a hat trick and fully earned a rest as Curran rejoined the game. From the kick off Latchford failed to gather and were penalised for a technical offside. Mayfield capitalised with a consolation try to avoid a second successive whitewash. Yates-Dutton was at his usual place atop the tackle count followed by Litherland and ODonnell

Team:

1. Phil O'Donnell

2. Ash Pilling, 3. James Clough, 4. Josh Stanger, 5. Callum O'Toole

6. Lewis Litherland, 7. Joe Green

8. Joe Beswick, 9. Adam Yates-Dutton, 10. Adam Barnes

11. Jason Brookes, 12. Matty Curran

13. John Hewitt

Subs (all used): Phil Atherton and Jordan Melvin

24/02/2008 v Westhoughton Lions (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U16 - 10

Westhoughton Lions U16 - 38

Latchford went into this game against their nemesis without their longest serving player John Hewitt who has just undergone an appendectomy. Johnny has missed just 10 games since he joined the club in February 2000. Ironically, this game marked the debut of Latchford’s latest recruit former Service Area player Danny Bridle who switched from neighbours Rylands.

The game was five minutes old when Westhoughton found room out wide to score a try and kick the goal. On ten minutes Matty Curran succumbed to a dead leg and was replaced by Bridle. Two minutes later Latchford knocked on in their own half and Westhoughton capitalised from the possession to score out wide again without converting. The game then went into a twenty minute period where defences dominated with some excellent tackling from both sides. Darryl Smith came on for Joe Beswick with 20 minutes played. On the half hour mark Latchford gained a numerical advantage as a visitor was sin binned. James Clough came on for the injured Josh Stanger and Joe Beswick returned for Jason Brookes. As the half went into overtime Adam Yates-Dutton found space by the posts to score from acting half back but there was no conversion and the half finished 4-10.

The second half felt like watching Warrington at St Helens last week with Westhoughton scoring 3 tries in the first ten minutes to stretch the score to 4-26. Jordan Melvin replaced Ash Pilling. On the hour mark Phil O’Donnell scored under the posts following a break by Adam Yates-Dutton and good off loading by Lewis Litherland. Jordan Stephenson goaled 10-26. The game then finished with two more Westhoughton tries to give a final score of 10-38. Phil Atherton came on for Adam Barnes for the last ten minutes. Adam Yates-Dutton was top tackler with Danny Bridle and Lewis Litherland putting in strong defensive performances.

Team:

1. P O Donnell

2. A Pilling, 3. J Murray , 4. J Stanger, 5. C OToole

6. L Litherland, 7. J Green

8. J Beswick, 9. A Yates-Dutton, 10. A Barnes

11. M. Curran, 12. J Brookes

13. J Stephenson

Subs (all used): D Bridle, D Smith, J Clough, J Melvin, P Atherton

08/03/2008 v Crosfield Cobras (Gorsey Lane) Warrington Cup Final

Latchford Albion Unicorns U16 - 0

Crosfield Cobras U16 - 10

Players can enjoy long sporting careers and many never experience playing in a cup final. This Latchford team have now appeared in two; one at Under 12’s in the North West Counties’ Cup and, to finish off their Under 16’s season, in the GW Gas Supplies sponsored U16 Warrington Cup. Latchford travelled to Gorsey lane, home of Rylands Sharks, to take on Premiership Crosfield Cobras who boasted five players in their ranks who have signed professional contracts for next season. The Crosfields’ squad contained an array of stars gathered from all over the North West . Latchford would be renewing acquaintances with players they had first encountered playing for teams like Rochdale Mayfield, Langworthy Reds, Halton Farnworth Hornets as well as Warrington-based teams Culcheth Eagles, Woolston Rovers and even former Unicorns Pat Reardon and Jamen Smith. Such recruitment meant that some Crosfields players had found their way down to Latchford and Joe Green, Joe Beswick and James Clough would be lining up against their former team mates, while Josh Stanger and Lewis Litherland would be back on the field with some Woolston players they used to play alongside. Jason Brookes and Danny Bridle would also be playing back at Rylands where they were not so long ago.

With Latchford having just consolidated their position in the first division after promotion and Crosfields having played in a division higher in the top flight for several seasons the result of this final was seen by many as a forgone conclusion. Comments from a Crosfields’ coach before a ball was kicked that his players should dress smartly because they had to be photographed with the cup after the game suggested they were viewing the game as a mere formality. Both squads were forced to be trimmed down to just seventeen players. The unlucky two missing out for Latchford were Jordan Melvin and Phil Atherton. It was particularly harsh on Phil who had made himself available for all but six matches since his debut in October 2000 and there is only one other player who has served this team longer.

The game was in its very first set when prop forward Adam Barnes was forced off with a dead leg and was replaced by Daryl Smith. Latchford then matched Crosfields in both defence and attack for the initial stages but in the 7^th minute James Laithwaite broke the tackle from twenty yards out and scored by the posts, Greg Hamilton converted to give Crosfields a six point lead. Latchford continued to equal their opponents, but both defences were on top form ensuring no more scoring opportunities for the rest of the half.

The second half was a tense affair with Latchford continuing to match their opponents from a higher division. Players began to visibly tire, especially the forwards in the middle, due to the work required to cope with Crosfields' narrow game. Unfortunately the Albion only had backs on the bench. With just twenty minutes of the half remaining Latchford brought on those replacements shuffling the pack as best they could. Second rower Danny Bridle was then forced off with a back injury sustained in a collapsed scrum. A mark of respect was shown by the considered favourites when, just three minutes from the end, Crosfields elected to kick a penalty rather than run it in. The kick struck an upright but, as two Latchford players converged to gather the rebound they knocked on. The three Warrington signings linked together from the resultant scrum as Josh Crowley scored on the left. The conversion attempt failed and the game ended 10-0 to ‘Soap’.

Latchford were outstanding in this match with Warrington Wolves’ coach Paul Cullen, there to cheer his son Scott in the Crosfields side, forced to comment on how well Latchford had raised their game and contailed the three new Warrington signings. Scrum half Joe Green was top tackler closely followed by Adam Yates-Dutton, Danny Bridle and the outstanding Lewis Litherland who put in some bone shuddering tackles and, according to a member of the Crosfields coaching staff, was unlucky not to receive the man of the match award.

Team

1. Phil O’Donnell

2. Jack Murray, 3. Matty Curran, 4. Jordan Stephenson, 5. Josh Stanger

6. Lewis Litherland, 7. Joe Green

8. Joe Beswick, 9. Adam Yates-Dutton, 10. Adam Barnes

11. Danny Bridle, 12. Jason Brookes

13. John Hewitt

Subs (all used): Darryl Smith, Ash Pilling, Callum O’Toole, James Clough