Trafford MV slip up at home on a miserable day for playing Rugby

Written by Wilf Dooley

Trafford MV welcomed Oldham to MacPherson Park on a wet, miserable Novermber day although the game kept the spectators rooted to the touchline despite the conditions.

The game started with a familiar feel as the visiting side were first to take the initiative. Early possession allowed them to kick deep into the left corner of the MV ’22 and the resulting lineout was won by Oldham and a powerful forward drive by the pack saw them crash over the line.

The conversion gave a very early 0-7 lead. Trafford picked themselves up and forced a penalty which Aaron Booth slotted to come back to 3 – 7. Oldham were looking the more powerful of the teams with driving runs from their big forwards and centres putting MV on the back foot.

MV found themselves under pressure in their own ’22 when a big punching run from the Oldham number 8 saw him power over the line to score, the conversion went wide to lead 3-12.

With half time approaching a scuffle ensued and MV prop Monaghan was red carded for retaliation. The half time score sat at 3-12 but with 14 men MV now had an uphill task.

The second half started promisingly for MV when a good driving maul saw MV captain Paul Davenport force his was over the line after a neat inside pass from Pat Eccles. Aaron Booth converts to close the gap to 10-12.

MV were now playing well and getting themselves into positive area’s, forcing a further penalty which Booth again put between the sticks to go ahead for the first time 13-12.

At times MV found themselves stretched due to Oldhams extra man and this showed as they attacked down the left and found room to outpace the defending MV winger and race in to score near the posts, the conversion gave a 13-19 lead to the visiting team.

MV were hanging in and pushing Oldham all the way earning yet another penalty which Booth again converted easing MV back to 16-19.

As the clock was running down MV thought they had done enough to earn a draw when Oldham again conceded a penalty.

With the wind blowing and rain pouring down booth struck the ball hard and low just wide of the left hand upright leaving Oldham to take the winning points at 16-19.

MV did however pick up yet another bonus point but will suffer from the red card in next weeks game away at Ormskirk. 

Front cover photo: MVs Fly Half Aaron Booth