Trafford MV travelled to Burnley in the North Lancs / Cumbria League to take on bottom placed Burnley in confident form in wintry conditions, recent good form had made MV favourites but a job had to be done to secure the win.

MV started well and forced an early penalty, a quick tap and fast hands into open space saw stand-off Stuart Crampton glide over for a 0-5 opener MV were quick on the attack and forcing the play deep in the home ’22 and with a 2 man overlap an over ambitious pass from Crampton was intercepted and an 80 meter chase could not prevent the Burnley flyer crossing under the posts from the breakaway, converted 7-5 to Burnley.

Possession was all from MV and from a line out a good ball was worked out and eventually brought back row Danny Burke into the game crashing through the centre to cross 7-10, conversion was again missed.

Immediately from the restart Captain Andy Quigley won the ball and winger Jamie Kingdon who brushed aside tackles in a 50 yard run to score out wide, no conversion 7-15.

Trafford were now looking for the bonus point for 4 tries and it was the other wingman James Matthie who obliged as Pat Eccles put him away, Eccles was again off the target with the strong wind making his a difficult day with the boot.

MV struck clinically as full back Wilkinson came into the line on a good angle which left Burnley flat-footed crossing pretty much untouched, this give Pat Eccles his first successful conversion 7-27.

There was constant pressure from MV who saw Burnley concede a penalty wish was again tapped and taken quickly by Pat Eccles who scurried through the defence 7-34. With time running out Burnley must have been listening for the final whistle when MV’s Stuart Crampton make up for his earlier intercepted pass by throwing a dummy which opened a huge gap in the Burnley defence for him to stroll through to sign out for MV at 7-39.

Despite a tricky afternoon underfoot MV’s scrum half  Pat Eccles was awarded Man of the Match. This win now puts pressure on Keswick who are just 2 points ahead of MV and visit MV in 2 weeks time. First up however if Fleetwood away who have been on a 5 match losing run while MV have now won their last 6 games.

(Image: Andy Quigley)