Haresfinch 14 FINCH'S hopes of a winning start to the new season were dashed by the newly-promoted Widnes outfit who seem sure to figure among the North West Counties League Division Three front-runners.

But despite the final scoreline, the visitors can take some heart from a performance that was encouraging in parts. Indeed, for the first quarter Finch were the better team but couldn't turn their superiority into points against a well-organised Albion defence.

Once the homesters had grabbed the lead against the run of play though, the Finch tackling - so impressive in the opening stages - simply melted away. By the interval Albion had built up an 18-4 lead with three converted tries, Finch's only points coming from two penalties by player/coach Billy Platt.

After the break it was a similar story with Albion taking advantage of sloppy defence to score converted touchdowns at regular intervals. Finch replied with tries by Platt and strong-running centre Chris Bridge, plus a goal by the former, but they were never seriously in contention. Hopes

dashed

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