It was 10 minutes before the opening score, which went against the run of play. Latchford were on the attack, but a kick on the last went dead in-goal and Nathan Taylor picked up for a quick 20m tap, with the opposition on the back foot. Further carries took play deep into Latchford territory and then good work from the three-quarters on the last tackle created enough room for Taylor to finish in the corner.
Albion’s response was swift and productive. Breaking down the left, Latchford were in a dangerous attacking position. A kick to the corner on the last was not dealt with by the Soap defence and Reece Forrest picked up the loose ball to score. Matt Barker converted to give his side a 4-6 lead.
Crosfields regrouped and a penalty helped their cause as they moved easily downfield. Soap again moved the ball wide and Danny Garcia-O’Brien fed Taylor, who sprinted forward and finished spectacularly in Makinson-esque style, in the corner. 8-6
The end to end rugby continued, but Latchford’s reliance on a “kick on the last” became their undoing, when Taylor judged the bouncing ball to perfection and raced 80m to complete a 12-minute hat-trick. 12-6.
Soap started to dominate proceedings and Garcia made good ground to put his team on the front foot. John Whittaker followed up and chipped over the defence and Taylor was on hand to collect the ball and score his and Crosfields fourth try. 16-6.
Crosfields expansive play was causing problems for the opposition. Another double set, saw Latchford tire and Soap took full advantage, moving the ball briskly through the three-quarters, creating space for Luke Walker to score. Walker then converted his own try for a half time score of Crosfields 22- Latchford Albion 6.
It was a tight opening to the second half, with defences nullifying attacks, until Brad Stanway pounced on a loose ball 20m from the opposition line to set up another onslaught.
Jack Reid had controlled the game from acting half, bringing on the forwards to drive in and releasing the backs to play out wide. He stood up to hit the powerful charge of Tom Brown, but dummied and went under the posts unopposed. Walker converted for 28-6.
Crosfields dominance increased, but Latchford worked hard, in an effort to stay in the game.
The home side forced a knock on deep in Albion territory and the forwards again set the platform for the three-quarters to open up the stretched defence and send Taylor in for his fifth try. 32-6.
Latchford picked themselves up and launched a sustained attack, keeping the ball alive at every opportunity, trying to find a chink in the Crosfields armoury. But the Crosfields defence held firm and gradually worked their way out of their own half. A delicate chip from Jack Reid to Dan Reid, saw Dan step his opposite number and score in the corner. 36-6.
With time running out Reid fed Matt Barber close to the line. Barber looked to be stopped by two defenders, but he twisted in the tackle and grounded the ball. Stanway stepped up to convert and a final score of Crosfields 42 Latchford Albion 6.
Another excellent team performance from Crosfields. Five tries from Nathan Taylor, who looked dangerous throughout, whilst Jack Reid controlled the game from acting half and deservedly took the man of the match award.