Rylands Sharks U14 - 58
Latchford Albion Giants U14 - 0

Not the sort of start the Giants wanted in their first match of the season. A spicy affair at neighnours Rylands that was not quite to the Giants' pallette. Four new players made thie Latchford bow and others were asked to play in diferent positions for the team, which will take time to meld into a successful outfit. Rylands had the lid on the match from their first scoring opportunity onwards as the Giants failed to keep posession of the ball for long enough to get some points back.

Dominic Jones, Thomas Beddard, Ben Sherlock and Joe Delaney put up some great resistance in defence but Rylands slipped through the Giants line repeatedly to score long range tries. Good to get this out of the way and to focus the mind on what's to come, not what's just been. Back to top

16/09/2007 v Thatto Heath Crusaders (home)

Latchford Albion Giants U14 - 10
Thatto Heath Crusaders U14 - 14

The giants conceeded some early points and then dug their heels in and got stuck in drawing back level by half time. Newcomers Joe Delaney and James Rowlands played their sock off for the giants and took the game to Thatto Heath with Andrew Gilbert driving the ball forward. Defensively the Giants settled down after the first 10 minutes and proved virtually impenetrable after this point. The score stayed level until the dying moments of the second half when Thatto Heath scored on the wing but failed to convert.

Andrew Gilbert was the Man of the Match with Joe Delaney being awarded the Coaches Award for his focussed and committed play throughout the match and the teams Top Tackler was Dominic Jones. James Rowlands scored his first try for the club whilst Jordan Sherlock grabbed the other try and Luke Gilooley goaled. Back to top

30/09/2007 v Wigan St Jude's (home)

Latchford Albion Giants U14 - 16
Wigan St Judes U14 - 0

The Giants led throughout the match with four new players George Lofthouse, Sean Boyle, Luke Mellis and Ryan Philips debuting for the Giants. Despite dominating play the score remained just 4-0 until the last 2 minutes of the match when the Giants rattled another two tries past a tired Wigan St Judes. Both were duly converted from the wings by player-of-the-match, James Rowlands. James had scored a try with Sam Brennan and Joe Delaney scored the other two. Sean Boyle was awarded the Coaches Award for his focussed and committed play throughout the match and the team's top tackler was Andrew Gilbert. Back to top

07/10/2007 v Rylands Sharks (home) NWC Cup 1st round

Latchford Albion Giants U13 - 0
Rylands Sharks U13 - 38

The Giants put in an improved performance against Rylands despite their captain Sam Brennan requiring hospital treatment for concussion. Dominic Jones was the Giants man of the match for taking the game to the Rylands line on a number of occasions only to fail to score against a team who have only conceeded one try in the five matches of the season so far. Taylor Wheat was the Giants top tackler and has returned to form to recover the title he won repeatedly last season with James Arnold being awarded the coaches award for his dedication to the team. Back to top

14/10/2007 v West Bank Bears (home)

Latchford Albion Giants U14 - 32
Widnes West Bank U14 - 4

The Giants led throughout and controlled the match very well with only one mistake on the Bears' touchline conceeding points. Good pitch conditions produced a free flowing match with few penalties and a low ball handling error count. Sean Boyle set up a number of excellent plays and the ball work passing out wide was particularly effective for the giants. Dominic Jones was the Man of the Match with Lloyd O?Brien being awarded the Coaches Award for his positional versatility on the pitch and the teams Top Tackler award was shared between Andrew Gilbert and Steven Pilkington

Try scorers: Dominic Jones (2), Taylor Wheat, Luke Gilooley, Joe Delaney (2), Steven Pilkington
Goal scorers: James Rowlands (2) Back to top

21/10/2007 v Burtonwood Bulldogs (away)

Burtonwood Bulldogs U14 - 0
Latchford Albion Giants U14 -14

The Giants led throughout and controlled the match very well despite having to defend hard after a couple of handling errors. The team displayed significant improvements in teamwork as the new players have merged in well with last season's players and the team as a whole displayed renewed confidence in their ability. Thomas Hill had a particularly improved game as the team started to work the ball more effecftively through to the wings. Dominic Jones and Joe Delaney were again instrumental in taking the match forward as they repeatedly drove the ball forward deep into the Bulldogs line. Sean Boyle also proved instrumental with his creative kicking game and strategic play of the ball. Sam Brennan was the Man of the Match and the Teams Top Tackler with Luke Mellis and Joe Delaney sharing the Coaches Award for Teamwork

Try scorers: Dominic Jones, Luke Mellis, James Rowlands
Goal scorers: James Rowlands (1) Back to top

28/10/2007 v Folly Lane (home)

Latchford Albion Giants U14 - 14
Folly Lane U14 - 8

After a slow start the Giants got stuck in, displaying excellent defensive play and taking the opportunity to produce 3 good tries against Folly Lane. This was a particularly balanced match and a great deal of effort was required on the Giants behalf in defending their slight lead at half time. An excellent off load from Andrew Gilbert allowed Jordan Sherlock to slip over the Folly Lane line to score. Luke Mellis sealed the win with a try in the last minute of the game. Jordan Sherlock was the Man of the Match, the Teams Top Tackler was Andrew Gilbert with Ryan Jackson getting the Coaches Award.

Try scorers: Andrew Gilbert, Jordan Sherlock, Luke Mellis
Goal scorers: James Rowlands (1) Back to top

04/11/2007 v Ince Rose Bridge (away)

Ince Rose Bridge U14 - 12
Latchford Albion Giants U14 - 28

After a balanced start the Giants got stuck in and slowly turned the match decisively in their favour, displaying excellent defensive play and taking the opportunity to produce 5 good tries against Ince Rose Bridge. Ince scored first after 10 minutes and the Giants buckled down and levelled the match by half-time, the scoreline continued more or less level until the last 10 minutes when the Giants put 3 in in short time. Joe Delaney, George Lofthouse and Dominic Jones took the match to Ince repeatedly gaining appreciable ground against the opposition with close support from the rest of the team ensuring that little advantage was to be had by the opposition in return. George Lofthouse was the Man of the Match, the Teams Top Tackler was Andrew Gilbert with James Rowlands getting the Coaches Award.

Try scorers: George Lofthouse (2), James Rowlands, Luke Mellis, Dominic Jones
Goal scorers: James Rowlands (3), Sean Boyle Back to top

11/11/2007 v Rylands Sharks (home)

Latchford Albion Giants U14 - 6
Rylands Sharks U14 - 30

The Giants put their all into the first half and held their ground and took the match to Rylands with a James Rowlands try and conversion leaving the Giants only 2 points adrift at half time. The second half continued in the same manner until the giants defence came unstuck during a ten minute spell when they were down to 12 players following a dubious decision that resulted in Rylands exploiting the advantage to its full point scoring potential. A much improved performance against the top team in the first division. Dominic Jones was the Man of the Match, the Teams Top Tackler was George Lofthouse with Taylor Wheat getting the Coaches Award. Back to top

18/11/2007 v Thatto Heath Crusaders (away)

Thatto Heath Crusaders U14 - 4
Latchford Albion Giants U14 - 24

The Giants dominated from the start and slowly turned the match decisively in their favour, displaying excellent defensive play and taking the opportunity to produce five good tries against Thatto Heath Crusaders. The first half saw the giants make more than a few handling errors which resulted in the Crusaders only points, the players settled down in the second half and slowly extended their lead on the back of consistent play. Dominic Jones worked particularly hard in driving the ball forward and tied up a fair few of the oppositios players and proffered sum good offloads to supporting players. James Arnold took a very good catch and Thomas Hills try was a masterpiece as he zig zagged through the crusaders line. Thomas Beddard was the Man of the Match, the Teams Top Tacklers were George Lofthouse and Joe Delaney with 10 tackles apiece and Thomas Hill was awarded the Coaches Award.

Try scorers: Luke Gilooley, Taylor Wheat, Andrew Gilbert, Thomas Hill, George Lofthouse
Goal scorers: James Rowlands (2) Back to top

25/11/2007 v Burtonwood Bulldogs (home)

Latchford Giants U14 - 16
Burtonwood Bulldogs U14 - 10

The match level at half time was won by the creative play of the Giants which broke what was at times a very level match. Despite being down a number of players the team fielded by the Giants proved effective against the Bulldogs with both George Lofthouse and Andrew Gilbert taking the match to the opposition, Taylor Wheat was again on form completing over 17 tackles for the giants and setting up a particular good try through an impressive one-on-one ball steal near the Bulldogs line in the second half resulting in a try by Andrew Gilbert. A short kick-off again proved fruitful for the Giants when Jordan Sherlocks quick interception set up George Lofthouse's try. Andrew Gilbert was the Man of the Match, the Teams Top Tacklers was Taylor Wheat and Luke Gilooley was awarded the Coaches Award.

Try scorers: Luke Gilooley, George Lofthouse, Andrew Gilbert
Goal scorers: Sean Boyle (2) Back to top

16/12/2007 v Shevington Sharks (home)

Latchford Albion Giants U13 - 6
Shevington Sharks U13 - 26

Luke Mellis' spectacular full length try was the highlight of a disappointing defeat for the Giants. James Rowlands added a goal, while George Lofthouse was the pick of the Latchford players. Dominic Jones was top tackler and Steven Pilkington won the Coaches' Award. Back to top

27/01/2008 v Wigan St Jude's (away)

Wigan St Jude's U14 - 8

Latchford Albion Giants U14 - 4

The Giants spent an inordinate amount of time camped out in St. Judes half of the pitch with little reward against a very solid defensive lineout. When St. Judes broke free considerable ground was gained as the Giants regrouped to defend their line which cost the Giants two tries and the match. The long break over the Christmas period and the number of cancelled matches had taken the edge off the Giants performance which can hopefully be corrected for the remaining fixtures. Dominic Jones was the Man of the Match after scoring their only try, the Teams Top Tackler award being shared between George Lofhouse and Andrew Gilbert with Joe Delaney being awarded the Coaches Award

03/02/2008 v Folly Lane (away)

Folly Lane U14 - 8

Latchford Albion Giants U14 - 22

The Giants led virtually throughout the match and converted all but 1 of their goal attempts against a firm and determined Folly Lane at their windswept pitch. Joe Delaney, Luke Mellis and George Lofthouse did great work moving the ball forward with Taylor Wheat taking the opportunity to get two tries with Jordan Sherlock and Thomas Beddard making it four. Sean Boyle , Jordan Sherlock, Ryan Jackson each kicked a goal. Defensively Andrew Gilbert and Taylor Wheat stood out with Taylor getting the Andrew Gilbert getting the Top Tackler Award and Taylor Wheat Man of the Match. The coaches award went to Jordan Sherlock

24/02/2008 v Ince Rose Bridge (home)

Latchford Giants U14 - 30

Ince Rose Bridge U14 - 28

After an early lead the Giants briefly trailed Ince but gradually pulled away to a comfortable lead before an Ince fight back took the game to the wire. Taylor Wheat was the giants top try scorer with Sam Brennan bagging two exceptional conversions. Sam Brennan, George Lofthouse and Andrew Gilbert worked exceptionally har in defence with Andrew Gilbert, George Lofthouse, Joe Delaney, Luke Mellis and Ryan Jackson doing the bulk of the offensive work. The consensus among the spectators and coaching staff was unanimously that Ryan had had a particularly good game. The Top Tackler Award went to Sam Brennan, Man of the Match was Ryan Jackson and the coaches’ award went to Jack Buckley

Try scorers: Taylor Wheat (2), Luke Mellis, Dominic Jones, Joe Delaney, Sean Boyle

Goal scorers: Sean Boyle, Sam Brennan (2)

16/03/2008 v West Bank Bears (away)

West Bank Bears U14 - 0
Latchford Albion Giants U14 - 34

The Giants led throughout the match with tries being shared by George Lofthouse (2), Luke Gilooley, James Rowlands, Joe Delaney, Taylor Wheat while James Rowlands kicked over five goals against a firm and determined Widnes West Bank. Joe Delaney, Luke Mellis and George Lofthouse did great work moving the ball forward, Andrew Gilbert and Taylor Wheat again stood out with Andrew Gilbert getting the Top Tackler Award and James Rowlands Man of the Match. The coaches’ award went to Sean Boyle.

30/03/2008 v Leigh Miners Rangers (home)

Latchford Albion Giants U14 - 22
Leigh Miners Rangers U14 - 12

The Giants produced a consistent and excellent performance throughout the match against Premier League Leigh Miners and gradually extended their half time lead to finish 10 points ahead in this Northwest Counties League arranged friendly. The Giants ball handling skills proved particularly effective in feeding the ball across field to provide scoring opportunities on both wings against a substantial defensive effort from the Miners. Determined efforts in driving the ball deep into the Leigh Miners defensive line by George Lofthouse, Andrew Gilbert and Joe Delaney provided the platform for the Giants scoring opportunities with strong defensive play from Jordan Sherlock, Andrew Gilbert, George Lofthouse and Luke Mellis ensuring that the Miners had a tough time. The coaches’ award went to James Arnold with the Giants Top-Tackler again being Andrew Gilbert and Luke Mellis was awarded the man-of-the-match.

Try scorers: Joe Delaney, George Lofthouse, Jordan Sherlock, James Arnold, Sam Brennan

Goal scorers: James Rowlands (1)

06/04/2008 v Shevington Sharks (away)

Shevington Sharks U14 8
Latchford Giants U14 8

After some heavy going early in the first half the Giants gradually applied pressure on the Sharks to score two tries, both from Luke Mellis and give themselves a half time lead of eight points. This was held until the final 10minutes of the match. The Giants conceded a couple of penalties late in the second half which gave the Sharks the opportunity to get even on the score board in what was an intense match. The match was closely and intensely fought throughout with considerable pressure being exerted on both the teams defense of their try lines with the giants finally losing their lead after conceding two penalties in the defence of their own. The coaches’ award went to George Lofthouse with the Giants Top-Tackler being Steven Pilkington and Luke Mellis was awarded the man-of-the-match Back to top