Trafford MV Win In Style Against The Workington Zebras

Trafford MV opened their account in the Lancs / Cumbria League on Sept 3 with a commanding 37-10 win against fellow promoted club Workington Zebras.

Weather conditions during the game were not good as rain continued to fall throughout the game which kicked off at 3pm.

MV began the game well establishing a good platform of possession with a steady scrum ball and clean line-out ball.

Good expansive play from MV brought a try for winger Jamie Kingdon who broke the tackle of his opposite number to then outpace the covering full back – the try was converted by Ben Wheeler 7-0.

Much of the play was kept close to the breakdown as MV pressed to draw the defence in tight.

Working fought hard to keep in contention and earned a penalty 30 metres out which was kicked by Sam Robinson 7-3.

Ben Wheeler cancelled this with a penalty of his own as MV Maintained the upper hand 10-3.

Trafford extended their lead when centre Andrew Moore, showing the benefit of a good summers training, broke through the midfield defence and scored from 40 metres for a deserved try Wheeler converting at 17-3.

With time running out at the end of the half the Zebras failed twice to clear the ball from inside the 22 metre line, allowing the hosts to set up a driving maul which carried them 20 metres to the line with prop forward Joe Cooper claiming the try 22-3.

MV was working hard , none more so than prop Jack Gobbert who seemed to be playing with a renewed vigour putting in some great tackles and some powerful drives to keep the visitors on their back foot.

The rain continued to fall as the sides came out for the second half, the half was only minutes old when MV newcomer John Feldman break away following a free kick to cross the line 27-3 for MV.

Workington was not giving up without a fight and with Andy Bowe and Chris Boyd leading the way and beginning to cause MV problems.

Seeing the potential danger MV took the opportunity of kicking the next available penalty to stem the tide 30-3.

Both sides had been working hard and changes were made midway through the half with Paul Davenport and Ethan Cornick coming on for MV.

Workington was eventually rewarded for their efforts as prop Chris Stringer bullied his way over from close range with Sam Robinson converting 30-10.

From the resulting restart, the Zebras allowed the greasy ball to bounce and find its way into touch for a line-out to Trafford.

As they had done all afternoon MV won a clean ball, set up a driving maul and last seasons try machine Paul Davenport broke off the back to touch down with Ben Wheeler completing the scoring with the conversion 37-10 to MV.

This was a promising game for MV and a good result to open with but much tougher games lie ahead.

Gaz Bevan, Jack Gobbert and Ben Wheeler all played well for MV and with a couple of players still to come back into the mix competition in the squad will be keen.

This weekend MV welcome Carlisle RFC, who beat Aldwinians 20-3, to MacPherson Park. Kick off is 3.00pm and admission for spectators are free – please come and support your local Rugby Union team.

Mini / Junior Rugby is back at Trafford MV on Sunday mornings at 10.30am – coaching is available for Under 5’s upwards. MV’s Colts were double Cup winners last season and are this season competing in the ”A” Division of the Senior Colts League.