14 Feb 2008 - Great Britain honours for Unicorns past & present

Not exactly a St Valentine's Day massacre but a resounding victory at least as the BARLA Great Britain Under 18's took on the Great British Police side at Stanningley, Leeds on 14th February and ran out winners 30-6. This was the side's first competitive game and there were reasons for Latchford Albion Unicorns to hold their heads up with pride.

Playing at centre was former Unicorn Ste Fisher who helped Latchford lift the Lancashire Cup as an Under 16. Ste cruelly missed out on staking a claim for a professional contract when he was injured in the trials and not given any further opportunity. Another cruel blow was that the Latchford team broke up but typical of the lad he got back doing what he does best, only this time among former Latchford team mates at neighbours Rylands. Ste scored after half an hour for the GB side.

A year below Ste is Mark Smith who we have featured on these news pages before after he featured for the English College team. Mark is one of the key players for our current Under 18's. This time Mark was playing at second row for the GB side and it was his pass that allowed his second row partner to score another try.

On the sub's bench was the youngest of the trio, Welshman Liam Kennedy, whose progress has been remarkable after moving to Latchford during last season as an Under 16 player. Without an Under 17's team this year Liam has been playing up at Under 18's level and has now been rewarded with an international cap.

Well done to all three players, a great advertisement for triumph over adversity in this tremendous achievement for the three concerned and the youth section as a whole.