WOOLSTON Rovers secured a fourth-place finish in National Conference League Division Two thanks to their win at Barrow Island at the weekend.
No matter how their final league game of the season at home to third-placed Shaw Cross Sharks finishes this Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm at Monks Sports, Club, Rovers are cemented.
They fought back from 14-0 down to win 24-14 in Cumbria, with tries coming from packmen Scott Whiteley and Harry Files, centre Sam Vernon and winger Karlyon Bates.
Stand-off Craig Lawton kicked four conversions.
In the division above, Crosfields bagged a fine 26-18 home success against Oulton Raiders 26-18.
Soap, who are away to fourth-placed Stanningley in their final game of the season on Saturday, could finish their first campaign in Division One anywhere from sixth to eighth depending on the full shake-up of the remaining results.
Winger Ben Stevens crossed twice against Oulton, while further touchdowns came from centre Luke Walker and scrum-half Ben Steele, while stand-off Brad Stanway landed six goals.
A young Albion side fell 36-4 to Halton Farnworth Hornets in their final home game of the year.
In line with the league’s policy, the hosts tried to arrange the fixture for Friday evening but the request was rejected, meaning eight of the previous week’s 17-man squad were unavailable.
Latchford still fielded a competitive side featuring no less than 10 players either 18 or under, highlighting the fantastic job the junior coaches are doing.
The result was a little bit harsh on the hosts given their effort, but a well organised Halton side were worthy winners.
Albion’s sole score came from centre Gareth Fairhurst.
Coach Martyn Ellis said: “The result wasn’t the main thing from Saturday, in defeat it showed we have a great future at this club.
“Ten players in the side have played less than 10 open-age games so they are gaining invaluable experience to set them up for future seasons.
“I would also like to give a lot of the credit to my assistant coach Sean Bond, who works primarily with the under 18s so his knowledge of how we can integrate them at the correct times has been invaluable this season ensuring the players are ready to step up when required.”
Albion’s final fixture is away to Shevington Sharks on Saturday.
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