Latchford Albion announced their return to the NWML Premier Division with a resounding victory at Shevington Sharks.
Playing into a stiff breeze in the first half, Albion were quick out of the blocks, and opened the scoring in the opening five minutes. Half backs Matty Ellis and, debutant Rob Marsh, combined well allowing second row Matthew Nash the space and opportunity to cross near the posts, Marsh adding the conversion.
The visitors were guilty of some Ill discipline during the first half, with two quick penalties offering Shevington good field position, which they took full advantage of to open their account for the afternoon with an unconverted try.
With no additional points being registered it left the half time score
Shevington 4 Latchford 6
As with the first half, Latchford started well and quickly extended their league.
Captain Daniel Brown benefiting from a quick play the ball when he cleverly dummied his way under the posts. Marsh adding the extras.
With Albion In the ascendancy, Nash registered his second try of the afternoon when he found room out wide and raced in from 20 yards out.
Prop forward Jack Foulkes was next on the score sheet, showing great strength to hold off two would be defenders before planting the ball down under the posts. Marsh converted and on the hour mark Albion held a healthy 22 - 4 lead.
Credit to the hosts, who never gave up and responded with a converted try, however any thoughts of a comeback were quickly extinguished when a great tackle by Dec Rourke dislodged the ball in the first tackle and the ball was spread along the line, where Gareth Fairhurst found just enough space to cross in the corner, again Marsh converting.
Latchford fittingly ended the game on a high note when impressive full-back Mike Walker, spotted a gap in the home defence, before racing 50 yards before feeding Marsh who finished off by racing under the posts. His subsequent conversion putting the seal on a great Albion Victory
Shevington 10 Latchford 34
Albion coach Martyn Eliis was obviously delighted and added “ Following promotion you are always unsure how you will cope with playing a higher level, but we really adapted to
the pace of the game quickly, and I could see the confidence grow as the game unfolded and we were full value for the win.
We had four players on debut and they fitted in seamlessly within the side, all contributing towards a great team performance”
Next Saturday (12) Latchford face a tough test when they host current league champions Orrell St James at the ASICS Victoria Park Arena, kick off 2.30pm
Pictured is stand off Rob Marsh, who weighed in with 16 points upon his Albion debut