Latchford Albion A 17
Warrington Wolves IMBRL 29
@ Victoria Park - 11/11/06 - NWC6

Warrington IMBRL secured their fourth win of the season in a fiercely contested local derby at Victoria Park against Latchford A.

IMBRL hadn't been in action for three weeks and were looking to get back on track after the demoralising 0-58 defeat by the high flying Leigh Central.

Going into the game, IMBRL were without the services of forwards Jon Westwood, Keith Ryan and Danny Elliott all of whom would have made a claim for a place in the seventeen. Meanwhile from the 19 players who made themselves available for selection both Tom and Andy Mahoney were the unfortunate ones not to make the final cut.

As the game began IMBRL looked rusty and with their inability to complete sets and hold onto possession it looked as though it would be a long hard slog for the points.

In truth that is pretty much how the game unfolded as both sets of forwards battled bravely with Warrington particularly solid in defence. They needed to be too having gifted Albion the opportunity to setup camp in the IMBRL half for long periods.

However it was Warrington who got on the board first as Dave Heathwood completed a move out wide to score.

The try went unconverted but the Wolves should have increased their lead soon after when John Williams appeared to legally ground the ball following Andy Hawley’s kick through. However with the referee unsure of the grounding he gave the decision in favour of Latchford.

Albion got themselves on the board with a bizarre decision to take a field-goal via the boot of Mal Mason, to make the score 1-4. Having got a foothold they then went onto build a small lead as former IMBRL man Dean Holt hacked ahead a loose ball to ground for a disputed try before hooker Ashley Pemberton strolled over from dummy-half. Mason converted the second effort and Albion led 11-4.

Having been given the rounds of the kitchen at half-time, Warrington responded at the start of the second period as Stephen Lenihan broke clear and raced half the length of the field to score.

Andy Hawley with a converted effort and Dean Holt (his second) then exchanged tries to leave Albion up by a point. Hawley however soon slotted home a penalty goal to give the Wolves the one point lead.

In a game that was swinging from end to end, Mason then tagged on two successive field goals to leave the score 17-16 to Latchford.

After Albion were found guilty of foul play close to their line, prop Neil Ashurst took a quick tap and barged over to give the Wolves the lead once again and with Hawley’s goal the margin between the teams was five points.

Nat Ashurst then coolly slotted home a field goal to make the lead six and despite a period of sustained pressure from the home side, IMBRL held out and then struck on the counter attack as Jonathan Knight raced home from distance, with Hawley again adding the extras.

Warrington were unlucky not to register further as star man Kyle Holcroft appeared to trip himself up as he raced home for a certain six pointer, but as it was the hooter was soon on its way and IMBRL had their fourth win of the season in the bag.

Men of the Match were Holcroft (IMBRL) and Holt (Latchford).

Wolves: Dave Heathwood, Rick Lenihan, Stephen Lenihan, Jonathan Knight, Liam O’Brien, Andy Hawley, Karl Case, Nat Ashurst, Kyle Holcroft, Neil Ashurst, John Williams, Mark Moore, Mick Austin. Subs: Matt Lawton, Paul Arnison, John Spreadbury, Gareth Edwards.
Tries: Heathwood, S. Lenihan, Hawley, Neil Ashurst, Knight.
Goals: Hawley (4). FG: Nat Ashurst