Latchford Albion Unicorns U15s - 4
Langworthy Reds U15s - 20

Latchford played this game with only 11 players due to some registration issues. The performance was far better than the score suggested as Langworthy only opportunities came when they capitalised on Latchford errors and by kicking penalties.

Latchford worked far harder and more skil in atheir build up play, but were inhibited by being two men down.

Mark Smith scored Latchford's only try after a spell of sustained pressure and good running by Latchford, resulting in errors from Langworthy giving Latchford the position needed to score.

No man of the match was awarded due to an excellent team effort.

The team for Latchford was Crosby, Styles, Silvester, Jones, Pemberton, Whitehead, Jennes, Thompson, Lyons, Turner, Smith Back to top

19/09/2004 v Newton Storm (away)

Newton Storm U15 - 0
Latchford Albion Unicorns U15 - 46

Latchford travelled to Newton with only 11 players for the second successive week. However, this was the only negitive part of the whole day. This was a very positive performance against a Newton side that boasted a full complement of players.

Latchford show good discipline, skill and control throughout the game, with good forward running, slick handling and a hunger to get at their opponents, especially in defence.

There was also a debut for Josh Jones and a return to the club for Adam Foster, both of these players gave excellent performances.

Ash Pemberton was voted man of the match by the Newton coach, although he was pushed all the way by Tom Crosby, Martin Whitehead, Chris Jennes and Mark Smith.

Latchford try scorers were Baz Styles 2, Tom Crosby, Ash Pemberton, Martin Whitehead, Chris Jennes and Mark Smith 2. The goals came from Baz Styles, Martin Whitehead, Mark Smith 5.

Team: Jonathan Jones, Baz Styles, Josh Jones, Tom Crosby, Ash Pemberton, Martin Whitehead, Chris Jennes, Jamie Thompson, Sean Lyons, Adam Foster, Mark Smith Back to top

03/10/2004 v Mayfield Mustangs (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U15's - 26
Rochdale Mayfield U15's - 0

After having no fixture the week before the gap obviously helped the Albion in their build up to this game. This was another strong performance by a Latchford side that boasted a full compliment of players. Latchford gained the initative through stong defence and with the pack dominating throughout.

Latchford gave debuts to Craig Fleming and Josh Dolphin and welcomed back Anton Mason and Adam Shaw, all aquitting themselves excellently on and off the field.

Tries came from Tom Silvester 2, Chris Jennes, Jonathan Jones and Mark Smith 2, with Mark Smith kicking a goal.

Man of the match went to Tom Silvester for his forcefull running and strong defensive effort.

Sadly Latchford's emphatic victory was tinged with some sadness as one of the Mayfield players sustained a seemingly serious wrist injury.

Team: Anton Mason, Tom Crosby, Baz Styles, Josh Jones, Jonathan Jones, Ash Pemberton, Martin Whitehead, Chris Jennes, Jamie Thompson, Sean Lyons, Tom Silvester,Craig Fleming, Mark Smith, Adam Shaw, Josh Dolphin. Back to top

10/10/2004 v Ashton Bears (away)

Ashton Bears U15's - 22
Latchford Albion Unicorns U15's - 18

Latchford travelled to Ashton with an eighteen man squad and in a determined mood. This was a game between two even teams, where penalties were the deciding factor with Latchford conceeding ten throughout the game. Defence was again Latchford's strong point with some excellent work shared throughout the team.

Latchford also handed a debut to Dale Goodship who gave a creditable performance.

Tries from : Baz Styles, Jonathan Jones & Josh Dolphin. Goals Mark Smith 3

Man of the Match as awarded by the referee and opposition coach Josh Dolphin.

Team : Mason, Crosby, Jones, Styles, Jones, Pemberton, Whitehead, Silvester, Thompson, Jenness, Foster, Dolphin, Smith. Lyons, Turner,Fleming, Shaw, Goodship. Back to top

17/10/2004 v Westhoughton Lions (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U15's - 24
Westhoughton Lions U15's - 20

When Westhoughton arrived at Victoria Park with just ten players, a sense of "this will be easy" decended on the Latchford side, who boasted a squad of 17 players for this game. Among that squad Latchford were able to give a debut to James Hart who recently transfered in from neighbours Crosfields.

The game did not go as the hosts expected as Westhoughton lived up to their billing as one of the league's top sides. It proved to be a hard introduction for Hart, who gave a good
performance throughout. Latchford's outstanding performers were Mason, Dolphin, Shaw and Smith. Tom Crosby was the player of the match as Latchford ran out eventual winners in a nail-biting game.

Tries scored by: Tom Crosby, Jonathan Jones, Martin Whitehead, Mark Smith - 2
Goals : Smith 2

Team : Hart, Crosby, Jones, Styles, Jones, Pemberton, Whitehead, Dolphin, Thompson, Jenness, Fleming, Smith,Foster, Goodship, Shaw, Lyons Back to top

24/10/2004 v Blackpool Scorpions (away)

Blackpool Scorpions U14's - 4
Latchford Albion Unicorns U14's -34

After a poor performance last week Latchford looked to make amends and boy did they do that! With a number of regular players out, Latchford went to Blackpool and gave a towering performance against a strong, large side.

Both sides started the game with complete sets of six and good kicks into the corners before Latchford's forwards bulldozed up the pitch close to the Blackpool line, before swift hands lead to Baz Styles going over out wide to open the scoring.

From the kick off, Latchford again hit the ball up strongly and then moved the ball across the pitch to the wings where Tom Crosby out paced the defence to score under the posts from about 60m out. Mark Smith converted.

Again, from the kick off Latchford regained good posession and after good work form the forward to get the ball into the Blackpool end zone, Smith found Mason with an inside ball to open the defence, Smith followed up and, when Mason drew the full back
and passed, Smith put the ball down under the posts. Mark Smith converted.

The next set of six yielded a penalty and two more points from the boot of Smith. Latchford then weathered pressure of their own making and had to withstand 6 sets of six within their 25m zone. All this and with a player in the Sin Bin for holding down. The defence though, was excellent and Blackpool could find no way through.

18 - 0 ht

After the break Latchford began in the same vein with powerful forward work, giving the backs the room to spread the ball to both wings and this led to tries from both Jones and Crosby.

Latchford then showed some ill discipline and, after conceding another two penalties, Blackpool finally crossed the line. This only worked to inspire Latchford who, after another set of 6 gained another 2 points from the boot of Smith.

The day was rounded off with a try from Dolphin that Smith converted.

Tries from Crosby 2, Styles, Jones, Dolphin, Smith

Goals : Smith 5

Man of the Match : Mark Smith as voted by the referee.

Team:
Hart, Crosby, Styles, Jones, Jones, Thompson, Mason, Lyons, Shaw, Silvester, Dolphin, Fleming, Smith, Foster, Goodship. Back to top

07/11/2004 v Widnes Moorfield (away)

Widnes Moorfield U15's - 4
Latchford Albion Unicorns U15's - 7

This game was paid on a heavy, postage-stamp pitch in which the conditions always pointed to a physical forward battle and it did not disappoint. Within 5 minutes of the start Tom Silvester had to leave the field due to visit the blood bin with a cut mouth, Chris Jenness came on and made an immediate impact scoring a short-ranged try. The game went up and down the field, with mistakes and stringent refereeing decisions keeping the game tight. Also a major factor was Latchford's inability to complete their sets.

Ht 0 - 4

The second half also started in the same way as the first half, with both packs looking to assert their dominance. Latchford managed to settle the quicker and after good 'go forward' Mark Smith dropped a goal. Moorfield fought back and, after a number of mistakes from each side, scrammbled a try in the corner, which they failed to convert. Latchford again showed good determination and managed to get into their opponents' 20m Zone and were rewarded with a penalty near the sticks. Mark Smith kicked the goal to extend Latchfords slender lead. In the last few minutes tempers were stretched to breaking point as Moorfield pressed constantly at Latchford, but the hosts could find no way through.

This game ended in a 4-7 hard thought win for Latchford, a win that showed the character and committment of both sets of players.

Team : Hart, Crosby, Jones, Styles, Jones, Thompson, Mason, Dolphin, Whitehead, Silvester, Fleming, Foster, Smith, Turner, Lyons, Jenness, Pemberton Back to top

14/11/2004 v Langworthy Reds (away)

Langworthy Reds U15's - 34,
Latchford Albion Unicorns U15's - 6

The first half of this game was a far more fair reflection on the relative strengths of the sides than the final score suggested. Latchford started slowly and went 8 points down before they began to play. After the first of Latchford's players left the field for a 10 minute break Latchford managed to get the score back to 6 - 8 with good hands and strong running from the scorer Baz Styles. Mark Smith added the extras. Later in the half player-of-the-match Styles was also held up over the line after the ball had again been moved across the field to the wings.

Ht 8 - 6

The second period started with a knock on and went from bad to worse with a try coming straight from the resulting set. Latchford continued to work hard in this game, until a freak try as the result of poor officiating gifted the hosts the easiest of tries. The resulting protests saw one of the Latchford players dismissed from the field. Langworthy piled on the pressure and again Latchford lost their cool, losing another player for dissent. Although Latchford never gave up, the task was now beyond them and all their efforts could not make up for the loss of two players.

Team: Hart, Crosby, Jones, Styles, Jones, Thompson, Mason, Silvester, Whitehead, Jenness, Pemberton, Foster, Smith, Shaw. Back to top

21/11/2004 v Newton Storm (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U15's - 80
Newton Storm U15's - 0

Latchford looked to get back to winning ways against a spirited Newton side at Loushers Lane. Despite a rotation of players being utilised by the Albion, the home side still looked very smooth and efficent, climbing to an unassailable 44 - 0 lead by half time. The highlight of the first half was a first ever Rugby League try for the excellent Josh Jones, who finished off a good handling move going over in the centre.

After a few changes the second half started in much the same vein as the first, with Latchford in complete control of the game. Latchford again dominated in defence and looked to enjoy themselves in attack, with the score finishing at 80 - 0.

Credit must be given to Newton who never gave up in this game and who played to the top of their ability.

Latchford's tries came from Jonathan Jones 4, Josh Jones, Baz Styles 2, Tom Crosby 2, Anton Mason, Tom Silvester 3, Josh Dolphin and Mark Smith 2

Goals were kicked by Ashley Pemberton 4 and Mark Smith 3

Team: -
Jones, Goodship, Jones, Styles, Crosby, Mason, Whitehead, Fleming, Shaw, Silvester, Dolphin, Turner, Pemberton, Smith, Thompson, Jenness, Foster, Hart. Back to top

12/12/2004 v Ashton Bears (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U15 - 42
Ashton Bears U15 - 4

Latchford came into this game having not played for a fortnight through no fault of their own. Before the game against the side who were lying in second position in the league the Latchford coaches uttered key words such as desire and teamwork. From the very start of the game Latchford came out and showed that they wanted to get a result from the
game. Latchford's forwards immediately dominated their opponents and, after a series of strong tackles, Latchord made Ashton cough up the ball and scored from the resulting set of six. Through the rest of the half Latchford built on their domination and ended the half 20 - 4. Ashton's try came from an error near their tryline.

In the second half Latchford continued in the ascendancy and stretched their lead further by sticking to the plan that had helped them command the first half. The forwards laid a solid platform, none more so than the excellent Craig Fleming who made a rare start at Prop Forward and claimed the Man of the Match award. It was his best performance of the season in which he scored try in the process. By the end of the second half, when Martin Whitehead scored in the corner, Latchford had rounded off an excellent
perfromance in the second half, scoring 22 unanswered points. Every player deserved praise for what was an excellent team effort, played in a good spirit and at a good pace.

Tries : Crosby 2, Josh Jones, Styles, Whitehead, Jenness, Pemberton, Fleming.

Goals : Mark Smith 5

Team : Hart, Crosby, Jones, Styles, Jones,Mason,Whitehead, Fleming, Thompson, Jenness, Foster, Pemberton, Smith, Shaw. Back to top

19/12/2004 v Westhoughton Lions (away)

Westhoughton Lions U15 - 4
Latchford Albion Unicorns U15 - 58

The result of the game does show the dominance that Latchford held during most of the game. The opening seconds of the game led to the best moment for Westhoughton, who scored straight from the kick off. Straight away Latchford came back into the game with a try from an error from the hosts on the next set of six tackles. After some superb tackling from the lads with Chris Jenness leading the way, with 17 tackles in the first half, Latchford again showed their dominance and went in 20-4 at half time. Kenny Turner scored his first try of the season in that opening period finishing off a good passing movement by barging over.

Latchford started the second half with the same venom that they had completed the first and ran in another 38 unanswered points. The outside backs enjoyed the freedom of the park for a good portion of the afternoon. James Hart also scored his first try for the club since his transfer from Crosfields when he went in in the corner from a flowing handling move that out-flanked Westhoughton.

Credit must go to all the boys who played in this game, not only for their attitude in the first half when they held their nerve after Westhoughton scored so early. Additionally in the manner in which the team played together. The ball moved around the field and the
players wanted to run, this can be no more vital than when only 13 players are available for the match. There could be no single player of the match when the team played so creditably as a unit.

Tries from: Hart, Josh Jones 2, Styles 2, Jonathan Jones 2, Whitehead, Jenness, Foster, Turner .

Goals: Mark Smith 6

Team: Hart, Crosby, Jones, Styles, Jones, Thompson, Whitehead, Fleming, Shaw, Jenness, Foster, Smith, Turner. Back to top

09/01/2005 v Blackpool Scorpions (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U15's - 66
Blackpool Scorpions U15's - 8

Latchford went into the first game of the new year in a confident mood and looking to continue with their impressive recent form. After weathering some early sustained pressure from Blackpool, Latchford began to find their rhythm and started to control the game, going in at half time with a 32-0 lead.

The second half started with Latchford rsuming their domination of the match and exerting more pressure, which led to furher points being added in this display of clinical finishing. The only down point for Latchford, was a lapse in concentration that led to the conceding of penalties to give Blackpool easy yards and allowed them to reply with two tries of their own two late tries.

All the Albion players deserve a lot of credit for a good overall performance, but special mention must go to Chris Jenness for an outstanding defensive performance with 21 tackles, earning him the Man-of-the-Match Award.

The coaches will be hoping this run of form will stand them in good stead as they go into next weeks' North west Counties Cup game with Folly Lane. The Swinton outfit are currently second in the league higher than Latchford, having lost just two games this season.

Tries : Crosby 2, Styles 2, Jones 3, Whitehead 2, Dolphin 2 & Turner.
Goals : Pemberton 9

Team : Hart, Crosby, Jones, Styles, Jones, Thompson, Whitehead, Dolphin, Mason, Jenness, Silvester, Turner, Pemberton, Shaw, Fleming. Back to top

16/01/2005 v Folly Lane (home) NWC Cup

Latchford Albion Unicorns U15s - 4
Folly Lane U15s - 50

Latchford came into this game in good form have scored a plethora of tries in previous matches and looking to cause an upset. This was not to be Latchford's day against a Folly side that looked to capitalise on the extra space on the Loushers Lane pitch. Latchford had slipped to a 24-0 deficit at half time, with some shocking defence and a completion rate not much higher than 20%.

The performance from Latchford lifted slightly in the second half and Jamie Thompson managed to cross the line for the Unicorns only score. Latchford to their credit continued to give 100% even when they were hampered by the loss of key players at certain times.

This has been a learning curve to show what the Albion to do next season, if they are to achieve in the first division as they aspire to do. This game has set a good bench mark and is a lesson learned.

The Man of the Match was Kenny Turner, whose defensive workrate was excellent, coming on from the bench to catch many of his team mates on the tackle count, even those who had stated the game. Back to top

30/01/2005 v Widnes Moorfield (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U15's - 32
Widnes Moorfield U15's - 6

Latchford looked to return to winning ways after the recent cup exit versus Folly Lane. Widnes came to Victoria Park determined to make their physical presence felt after a close game in the earlier fixture. With Latchford at full strength this was always going to prove a tall order for the visitors and so it proved. After a physical first half punctuated by penalties Latchford led 8-2, with two goals from Smith and a well taken try from Thompson.

In the second half Moorfield's thirteen players began to tire under a relentless attack from the fresher Latchford players. With Moorfield visibly beginning to flag, Latchford took advantage and scored another four tries, with Danny Brown scoring a try on his club debut performance. A mention must also go to Craig Fleming for his strong running, which at times left the Moorfield defenders staring in his wake. Josh Jones got the Man of the Match Award for his strong defence and direct running.

Tries : Styles, Thompson, Smith, Brown, Mason

Goals : Smith 4

Team: Hart, Crosby, Jones, Styles, Jones, Thompson, Whitehead, Fleming, Pemberton, Jenness, Dolphin, Turner, Smith, Brown, Silvester, Foster, Mason, Shaw. Back to top

06/02/2005 v Mayfield Mustangs (away)

Rochdale Mayfield Mustangs U15's -6
Latchford Albion Unicorns U15's - 42

Latchford made harder work of this game than it needed to be and after some scrappy play eventually went in at the interval with a 20-0 lead.

In the second half, Latchford perked up a little and began to play some flowing rugby inspite of the pitch conditions. The telling factor at the end of this game was Latchford's ability to build pressure and force the mistake in crucial areas of the pitch.

A special mention must go to both substitutes, Josh Jones and Josh Dolphin, who both came on and added strong running to the attack. Similar mentions must go to Mark Smith and Martin Whitehead for their leadership and all round performance.

Player-of-the-match was Adam Shaw, whose tackling and carrying of the football improved as the game went on. In this game he surpassed his previous total efforts for the season.

Tries: Crosby 2, Silvester 2, Thompson, Smith, Jones, Dolphin
Goals: Smith 4 Back to top

13/02/2005 v Haresfinch Bulldogs (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U15's - 22
Haresfinch Bulldogs U15's - 8

Six Latchford players chose to travel away to watch the Warrington Wolves in London today, which is the reason why two other Latchford sides had earlier cancelled their fixtures. The Under 15's, though, were lucky enough to still get thirteen players on the field for this NWC arranged friendly fixture. The players who did take the field, did so in some awful conditions on a sticky pitch and in biting wind.

The first half was a damp squib of a game, which neither side could be pleased with. Latchford scored a solitary try from Kenny Turner, but struggled somewhat against the wind. Anton Mason also left the field with a suspected broken arm, further reducing Latchford to twelve just before the break.

For the second half Latchford had the wind at their backs and showed more determination with ball in hand. This quickly lead to Latchford overhauling the Haresfinch score and then taking command in the game. The accustomed Albion defence came
more to the fore, and the offence looked more incisive, allowed Latchford to run out comfortable winners in the end

The man of the match went to Latchford hooker, Jamie Thompson, for his determined running.

Tries from : Smith, Thompson, Turner 2
Goals : Smith 2 & Brown Back to top

20/02/2005 v Westhoughton Lions (home)

Latchford Albion Unicorns U15s - 26
Westhoughton Lions U15s - 12

After much waiting this game went a head at nearly 12.30 due to the weather and stacking of teams on the Louchers Lane pitch (although to be fair, the other two games were league fixtures and yours was a friendly you'd arranged yourself- ed!)

Westhoughton visited Latchford to play a friendly on a weeks notice and could only muster 11 players for the tie. Due to the cold weather conditions, and a good spirit between the teams Latchford leant Westhoughton two players from their squad to them in each half. This also made the game more competitive and encouraged some sporting rivalry between the lads who played for and against their mates.

Latchford in the first half were near full strength and ran in 5 tries, without reply to effectivley end the match as a sporting contest by the half time interval. Latchford made good yards in the pack and the back line enjoyed a lot of the ball. Credit must go to tom
Silvester and Josh Jones, who played for Westhoughton in the first half and were outstanding in attack and defence, both getting in crunching tackles on some of their normal team mates.

The second half was a tale of Latchford faiing to control the ball in attack and having to defend for the majority of the half under pressure through there own mistakes. This was something Mark Smith, the Latchford captain, who was playing for Westhoughton capitalised on to create space to allow our opponents to cross the line twice, with Mark putting over the best conversion of the match in Blue and Yellow! (Mmmmm).

Credit must go to all the Latchford lads for their performance and attitude all day, they handled the delays and the traveling very well and played the game in the right spirit. This was a good all round team effort. The lads also coped well with some postional swops to allow the coaches to look at lads in different positions.

The day could be summed up when we spoke to the Westhoughton coaches and players who appreciated the loan good of players and the spirit the game was played in, looked to improve their game from the example set by our boys, nothing better can be said for Latchford.

Tries : Brown 2, Styles, Jenness, Smith
Goals ; Smith 2, Brown (Smith 1 also for Westhoughton)

Man of the Match: Mark Smith, for an excellent performance and leadership for both sides.

Team : Pemberton, Crosby, Brown, Styles, Jones, Thompson, Hart, Darbyshire, Shaw, Jenness, Turner, Dolphin **, Smith**, Fleming, Jones*, Silvester*.

* PLAYED FOR WESTHOUGHTON 1st Half
** PLAYED FOR WESTHOUGHTON 2nd Half Back to top

10/04/2005 v Newton Storm (away)

Newton Storm U15's - 4
Latchford Albion Unicorns U15's - 34

This friendly game was made more difficult by constant errors and the failure to control and retain the ball. The game was played on a small pitch, with damp conditions and this was never going to lead to a classic game.

Latchford travelled with only 14 players due to player absences and registration issues. With Newton only having 12 players Latchford stand off, Anton Mason, offered to play for Newton and helped to bring on our spirited opponents.

Ash Pemberton took on the kicking duties and Baz Styles extended his try scoring run for the season, now making it 16 tries in 16 games this season.

Tom Silvester and Tom Crosby also added tries in this game, to make the score look comfortable on a poor day for Latchford. Back to top