Under 12's 2003-4 Cont'd
28th March 2004
Haydock Warriors U12's - 32Latchford Albion U12's - 0
Latchford worked very hard in the first half and restricted the Warriors to just two tries, both kicked on the last across the try line. Martin Ball was particularly prominent.
The second half showed the chasm that has existed all season between Haydock and the remainder of the division they now foind themselves in. Lewis Litherland and Tom McIntosh were joint top tacklers. Back to top
4th April 2004
Latchford Albion U12's - 26Saddleworth Rangers U12's - 16
Latchford played some excellant Rugby League in the first half but made some uncharacteristic errors late on and Saddleworth took advantage.
The try scorers for the Albion were Johnny Hewitt, two, Tom McIntosh, player-of-the-match Lewis Litherland and Patrick Reardon. Johnny kicked two goals and Jack Phillips the other. Back to top
18th April 2004
Culcheth Eagles U12's - 14Latchford Albion U12's - 12
Culcheth took the spoils this time in a typically close game between the two sides. In the two previous matches between the Eagles and Unicorns, the scores had been 32-30 and 12-6 in Latchford's favour. It was only right then that Culcheth's effort should be rewarded this time.
Johnny Hewitt picked up a kick as full back and ran into the Culcheth pack from which he emerged on the other side and sprinted home. This effectively ended his contribution to the match as a nagging back strain flared up again and he was forced to limp off.
Unsung hero Adam Yates-Dutton darted through for a try and prop Darryl Smith grabbed the other.
Josh Stanger was player-of-the-match and Pat Reardon was top tackler. Back to top
25th April 2004
Latchford Albion U12's - 12Spotland Rangers U12's - 6
Latchford went into this match without their captain John Hewitt, only the third game he's missed since February 2000.
Adam Yates-Dutton passed to Phil Atherton who offloaded to Dominic Ball, his kick across goal found make shift fullback Steven Smith and Latchford were ahead. Darryl Smith converted. An ever-improving Spotland side soon equalised before tragedy struck. One of the season's top performers, Lewis Litherland went down on the hard ground and was helped off the pitch. It later transpired he had fractured his collar bone. This is particularly sad as the next game is the Cup Final and Lewis had been picked as reserve for the forthcoming Service Area series.
Shortly before half time a determined run by Josh Stanger down the left allowed Tom Hardman to scoot over from near the line. Unsung Hero Darryl Smith added the two points.
The second ahlf proved to be one of frustrations as neither team bothered the score keepers. Stand-in captain Tom McIntosh was player-of-the-match and led from the front, topping the tackle count with Carl Evans. Back to top
2nd May 2004
Latchford Albion U12's - 0Haydock Warriors U12's - 40
Latchford's season ended in the final of the North West Counties Development Cup at Robin Park, Wigan.
Although the game did not go the way Latchford would have liked against formidable ooposition in former premier league outfit Haydock, the Albion can look back over the season with pride.
They have won more games than they have lost, have gelled as a team and can go on to better achievements next term.
In the final, Steven Smith came off the bench and performed with real heart on the left wing. Dan Slater's first half display was probably his best all season. Carl Evans was top tackler. Back to top