Trafford MV open centenary season with a convincing win

Written by Wilf Dooley

On a beautiful late Summers day Trafford MV welcomed Littleborough to MacPherson Park in the opening league game in the Counties 2 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire League.

The teams are old rivals and know each others game well and a tight game was expected.A sizeable crowd welcomed the teams onto the pitch and it was not long before the physical side of the game was evident as the forwards battled for dominance.

Trafford gradually gained the upper hand in the set pieces and the second phase ball was evenly contested early on.

Trafford MV were first to breach the defensive lines as Pat Eccles chipped over the oncoming Littleborough back line for MV to open scoring with kick and chase for Pat Eccles to touch down under posts.

Converting his own try 7-0. Both teams looked rusty this early in the season and Lots of play was scrappy and moves went uncompleted.

Trafford maintained their pressure and it was Jamie Kingdon bursting through the centres and brushing off tackles that made the next inroad for Trafford scoring to the left of the uprights. Pat Eccles converts 14 – 0 to MV.

The home side looked to be getting the upper hand as good handling created the space for Nathan Hamilton to outpace the defence wide on the right wing with Pat Eccles again converting to give MV a healthy lead at half time.

The crowd could be forgiven for thinking the game was in the bag when, from the kick off Littleboroughs Chris Park who joined the fray at half time scored for the visitors.

The conversion was missed 21-5. Trafford were playing with confidence and it was a good forward drive and good hands that put Jordan Rigg over wide on the right right. Eccles missed the kick 26 – 5 to Trafford MV.

Both sides suffered a yellow card as frustrations boiled over and Littleborough got their foot back in the game when the experienced Chris Hough splits the MV defence to get the ball down behind the posts, converted 26 – 12.

Trafford had looked the better team throughout the game and it was pleasing to see MV score from the last last play of game, a line out resulting in a catch and drive which powered MV Captain Danny Burke over the try line for the touchdown, conversion missed 31 – 12 was the final score to TMV.

A five try win was as good as could be expected for the opening game, and see’s MV in 2nd place behind New Brighton on points scored difference. This coming weekend Trafford MV’s 1st XV will travel to Hoylake and will be looking to add to this opening win in their Centenary title challenge.

Trafford MV are looking to field 3 Senior mens teams this season and are inviting any local rugby players who are not getting their regular rugby fix to get in touch and Get Your Boots On ! Contact Greg on 07834 857905.

With the Rugby World Cup taking place in France over the next couple of months the sport will be high profile and Trafford MV will be the place to watch the games. England face Argentina on Saturday 9th at 8.00pm – come and join us in the Clubhouse and enjoy Rugby hospitality.