MV remain confident despite the weekend’s loss at Aspatria

Trafford MV made the long trip to Aspatria in good form but eventually struggled through lack of cover for injuries and coming up against a much bigger team. In cold and breezy, but good conditions for the game of rugby, MV opened brightly and got the better of the early exchanges at Bower Park.

Ten minutes on constant MV pressure had the home side worried but the Aspatria defence held out. MV came away with a Pat Eccles penalty 0-3. Aspatria were confident on their own turf and their full back burst out of defence on a long run.

A scrum against the head allowed Aspatria to maintain pressure and force a penalty, the resulting lineout saw a catch and drive off the back, the big men piled in time and again sucking MV’s defence in for the ball to be whipped wide lest for Aspatria wing Noutch to run in unopposed 5-3.

MV responded when left wing Jamie Kingdon split the home defence and outpaced cover to score under post Pat Eccles converted easily to take the lead again 5-10. Aspatria were powerful in the scrum and well won ball saw a break through the centres for Atkinson to score converted by Foster 12-10.

The home side came right back again with another catch and drive which piled over the MV line for hooker Ravell to claim the try making  the score 17-10.

As half time approached Aspatria extended their lead when and endless number of drives for the big pack eventually saw Atkinson scramble over on hands and knees. Foster converted for a decisive lead at the break of 24-10.

Shortly into the second half MV had to reshuffle their line up when scrum half Pat Eccles injured his knee with MV’s only sub Kieran Lally replacing. This loss was a big blow for MV.

Their was still plenty of fight in MV and they brought the ball the length of the field for Stuart Crampton to kick a penalty 24-13. The teams nullified one another for a long oart of the half until Aspatria surged down the right flank with good inter passing. Hodgson scored to close Aspatria’s account at 29-13

MV’s grit and determination were there for all to see but the had work put in all afternnon absorbing the big forward drives was taking its toll. A late flurry from MV saw a good attack down the left with Jamie Kingdon rounding off a good game for him with his second try of the game 29-18 to close the game off.

All said this was a good performance from MV against the title favourites. This weekend MV host old rivals De La Salle at MacPherson Park and are calling out for a good home crowd to get behind the team and get them back on the winning track. Kick Off is 2.15pm

(By Wilf Dooley)