Trafford MV feeling more confident after a win on Merseyside at the weekend

By Wilf Dooley

Trafford MV 1st XV travelled to Merseyside last weekend to take on a team placed just above them in the League.

Trafford went into the game desperate to get back into the business of winning again as the seasons results were stacking up against them with a series of narrow defeats. Picking up losing bonus points had become the habit over recent weeks as victory was evading MV on a regular basis despite all the games being very competitive.

The writing seemed to be on the cards from the outset as TMV struggled getting out of the blocks conceding an early penalty followed by converted try to trail 10-0. It took a while but MV gradually got themselves into the game and Aaron Booth gets MV on the board kicking a pen 10 – 3.

It was important that Trafford had a game plan and hard work was put into maintaining possession and MV put Collegiate under pressure as they kicked a 50 / 22 from the restart. From the resulting lineout MV forced a 20m driving maul for Micah Dyos to drive over to the left of the uprights. Aaron Booth converted to bring MV level at 10-10. A home penalty keeps Collegiate on top and MV trailing at 13 – 10.

Running up to half time MV are getting the wrong side of the referee and Andrew Clegg sees yellow! Trafford MV get penalised further  for not rolling away and MVs travelling support sees MV go into the break 16 – 10 behind. But confident in their competitiveness!

A competitive start to 2nd half sees MV suffer a further yellow for MacFarlane for deliberate knock on and found themselves lucky as Collegiate missed the relatively easy penalty fortunately!

MV are intent on sticking with their game plan, maintaining good possession through the forwards and working a good attacking lineout option. Trafford win good lineout ball and a well rehearsed backs move results in a try for Danny Burke converted by Aaron Booth giving MV the lead for the first time in the game 16 – 17.

Trafford MV keep exerting heavy pressure and captain Paul Davenport forces turnover on 10m line. MV earn the resulting penalty and a confident Aaron Booth nudges the kick over to extend their lead to 16 – 20 with 5 min to go! MV grind out the final minutes to secure what we hope will be a season changing game away at Liverpool Collegiate 16 – 20. Well done to all the players and coaching team!

This weekend Trafford Have the luxury of playing at home with Oldham the visitors. The opponents are sitting just one league place behind MV with 4 points separating the teams. MV will have renewed confidence following the win last weekend but must be sure to work hard in defence and to be clinical in their finishing. Both forwards and backs are playing well but it just needs commitment to be consistent and for the little things to knit together within the team.

Trafford MV are keen to recruit at both teenage and senior levels from the local school player base and from local players looking to return to the game. Contact wilfdooley@virginmedia,com for info