Trafford MV win on the Wirral beating Hoylake 15-36

Written by Wilf Dooley

On the hottest day of the year Trafford MV made the journey to Hoylake on the Wirrall and things were about to get even hotter for the home side !

Trafford MV’s head coach Brian Collier put his squad through some stiff sessions during the week as he drummed the ethics of hard work and consistency into his players.

Trafford opened the game rather sluggishly and conceded an early penalty as the home side went 3-0 ahead, Trafford then hit back with a great solo try from centre Jono Mitchell who powered his way through floundering tackle attempts to score. The try was converted by Pat Eccles 3-7.

Trafford MV maintained a period of heavy pressure winning scrum and second phase ball which eventually saw pressure in Hoylake ’22’ lead to  Danny Burke bursting through the defence to touch down. Pat Eccles converted 3 – 14 to Trafford MV.

Hoylake were competing very well and from a good touch kick they managed a score as a clever Hoylake line out brings a try from a throw to the front the conversion was missed 8 – 14.

This rattled Trafford and they took the game back to the home side. Intensive drives from MV towards the home try line resulted in the driving maul being collapsed by the defense and a penalty try awarded to TMV 8-21.

With half time approaching Jordan Rigg attacked down right and good handling between MV players leading to Mica Dyos scoring, Eccles missed the conversion kick missed 8 – 26 for TMV at the interval.

As the second half got under way MV lost replacement Sam Wilson to a yellow card for a high tackle then concede pushover try and conversion 15 – 26. It looked now as if Trafford had pressed the self destruct button as they firstly lose Jamie Kingdon to a further yellow for a high tackle, the pressure was on at 15 – 26.

Trafford were then rattled further as Andrew Clegg gets a third yellow this time for interference as Hoylake scrum half attempted to play the ball. MV were now really under the cosh and down to 13 men!

Dogged defence was required and that is what TMV gave as they held out the pressing Hoylake attacks and resisted any score from the home side. As soon as the numbers came back to parity it was time for Trafford MV to enforce their game and number 8 Kieran Edgar breaks through on the right leaving defenders sprawled in his wake. Pat Eccles converts 15 – 33 ahead with the clock now winding down.

As the referee indicates full time was imminent MV forced a penalty in the home ’22’ and Pat Eccles glanced over at head coach Collier who gave the nod to kick the penalty and close the game off at 15 – 36 on the final whistle.

This was a second emphatic win and the foot is now on the driving pedal as MV move into top spot in the Counties 2 ADM Lancashire and Cheshire League. This coming weekend Trafford MV will host New Brighton at MacPherson Park, Sale, M33 6LR.

Trafford MV fielded 3 sides in League competition for the fist time since the Covid pandemic and it was great to see all sides record wins. The 2nd XV defeated Rochdale 3rd XV 52 – 12 while the TMV 3rd XV overcame Hope Valley 1st XV 36-24.

Trafford MV are inviting any local players who are looking to get back into Rugby to get in touch and Get Your Boots On – contact Greg on 07834 857905