Latchford Albion 16 Woolston Rovers 44

WOOLSTON Rovers claimed the Stuart Middleton Foundation Cup on Wednesday night in a well-contested game against Latchford Albion.

In front of a healthy crowd at Victoria Park, Troy Brophy scored a hat-trick for John Fieldhouse’s side.

Sean Conway, Theo Holt, Matt Clarke, Alex Dunne and Glyn Roberts, who also kicked six conversions, grabbed a try each for the Green and Golds.

Albion, who play in the division below their opponents, were game and led in the second half through tries from Adam Wadsworth, Phil Woolacott and Fraser Jones-Lake, with George Briggs adding two goals.

The game was in the balance on the hour mark with Rovers leading 20-16, but 24 unanswered points in the final quarter proved decisive for the National Conference League Division Three outfit.

Woolston took the early initiative as Brophy and Conway crossed to open up a 10-0 lead, but Wadsworth’s try in the corner got Latchford on the board.

Holt got over the line to restore Woolston’s 10-point cushion, but Woolacott’s score right on half-time seemed to indicate a momentum shift.

After the break, Jones-Lake muscled over to give Albion the lead for the first time, but Roberts crossed shortly after to give Woolston a lead they would not relinquish.

Brophy, Dunne and Clarke crossed in quick succession to put the Monks Sports Club outfit in full control before ex-Rylands centre Brophy grabbed his hat-trick on the hooter.

Latchford: Adam Wadsworth, Craig Mather, Chris Brown, Danny Brown, Owen Nugent, Chris Griffiths, George Briggs; Jake Ashall, Phil Woolacott, Fraser Jones-Lake, Joe Long, Lewis Johnston, Danny Brown. Subs: Chris Nicholas, Damian Lyon, Adam Woods, Joe Clarke.

Woolston: Glyn Roberts; Matt Davy, Troy Brophy, Dan Fearnley, Alex Dunne; Theo Holt, Connor Muir; Jack Sherratt, Harry Files, Ryan Hickman, James Jones, Sean Conway, Matt Clarke. Subs: Ryan Brown, Aaron Barber, Danny Griffiths, Anthony Clayton.