Trafford MV extends lead at the top of the table with win over Liverpool

By Wilf Dooley

Trafford MV extends the lead at the top of the table with win over Liverpool

Trafford MV played their first ever game on their newly laid 1st XV pitch and found the playing surface very much to their liking as many other pitches in the area were deemed unplayable after the heavy rains over recent days. Adding to the mix on the day was an exchange referee from London district.

The elements has eased by kick off and both sides looked to be up for the contest as the opening whistle blew.

Trafford MV were quickly into the contest and there were only a couple of  minutes on the clock when a pressurised Liverpool Collegiate defence had a rushed clearance kick charged down by Pat Eccles who followed up to score the try to the right of the posts and subsequently adding his own conversion kick for an early 7 – 0 home lead.

The half back partnership of Eccles and young Luke O’Shea was working well and this led to a very good passage of handling play which eventually led to possibly the try of the season to date as skipper Danny Burke finished the move off, Eccles missed the conversion 12 – 0.

It seems the writing to be on the cards as further TMV pressure opened gaps down the left flank which saw in form hooker Craig Collier driving over from close range near the touchline to extend lead to 17 – 0.

It was at this point the game changed in Liverpool’s favour as following a front row injury scrums went uncontested and provided more possession for the Merseyside team. This put more pressure onto MV and on the stroke of half time they conceded a penalty for a score at the break of 17 – 3.

The second half saw a dip in TMV’s concentration the proved costly conceding another early penalty 17 – 6. A series of decisions now went against the home team as they fell foul of the referee. Two further penalties were kicked, as well as one that came back off the post put MV in a vulnerable position at 17 – 12.

Trafford were not about to give up the game without a fight and a trademark MV catch and drive on the right touchline saw Collegiate crumble and illegally bring the maul down resulting in a penalty try plus a yellow card pushing MV 24 – 12 ahead.

Finishing on a high note MV worked a very neat switch move, which they had tried earlier in the game, this time it paid off. Luke O’Shea worked the move and Jamie Kingdon strolled through the created gap and saunter under the posts for an easy conversion for Pat Eccles and a final 31 – 12 score line.

The bonus point win extends Trafford MV’s unbeaten run and opens a 7 point gap at the top of the ADM League ahead of New Brighton who moved into 2nd place with a 43 – 10 defeat of Littleborough who dropped into 3rd place. This coming Saturday Trafford travel to face a struggling Oldham side who have only a single win under their belt this season and sit next to bottom in the league.

Trafford’s 2nd XV earned a 29 – 12 win over Wigan 2nd XV whilst on Sunday Trafford MV Ladies had another impressive win this time over Oldham Ladies 0 – 59. New players are always welcome at Trafford MV whatever age and ability you wish to play at, just contact wilfdooley@virginmedia.co,uk

Pic: Pat Eccles scoring