Trafford MV rugby club slip up at Oldham

Written by Wilf Dooley

Trafford MV Rugby Club 1st XV travelled to Oldham with high hopes last Saturday but nobody had read the script to Oldham prior to kick off. On a bright sunny afternoon Trafford took a full strength team and met their match at Manor Park.

The writing was on the wall from the start as early exchanges were well balanced for the opening 20min as Trafford wasted possession by kicking it away.

The Oldham pack was no pushover and hard won ball was squandered and the home sides back three looked dangerous on the counter attack.

First blood was drawn as Oldham kicked deep into the Trafford’s 22, as the defence tried to run the ball out a fumbled pass was snapped up by Oldham who strolled in close to the uprights to touch down and make the conversion a formality 7 – 0 to Oldham.

The home side held this advantage for the rest of the first half as Trafford failed to take any grip on the game. For a team leading the division against a lowly ranking home side Trafford had just not turned up at the races.

Trafford did show glimpses of what they were capable of but there was no consistency in their play. A catch and drive on the left side of the home ’22 saw Micah Dyos get the ball down.

The wide angle of the kick saw Pat Eccles hit the post 7-5 to Oldham. For a short spell in the game Trafford were looking dangerous and following a kick and chase it was Trafford MV winger Josh Salmon who collected the bouncing ball and raced outside the covering defence down the left touchline to score. From a similar position to the previous conversion attempt Pat Eccles successfully split the uprights to nudge Trafford into the lead 7 – 12. 

Oldham did not give MV any time to consolidate this slight lead as they hit right back with a cross field kick direct into the left wingers hands to race in and touch down.

The missed conversion attempt kept the score level at 12 – 12. With everything now to play for Trafford were still not showing signs of cohesion. Passes were loose, kicks were going astray and retention of ball was very poor.

Oldham launched a further attack down the left flank and it was the winger once again that was there to finish off the move with a try.

A good conversion from the Oldham stand off saw the home side 19-12 ahead. There was a glimmer of hope for Trafford as Oldham suffered a yellow card for their No 8. Trafford failed to take any advantage from this and were soon further behind as the Oldham stand off struck a well judged drop goal. Trafford were now under real pressure behind at 22-12 and time was running out.

With the referee checking his watch Trafford put the final nail in their own coffin by conceding a last minute penalty which was duly converted to secure a vital and deserved win for the home side 25-12.

Player of the match for Trafford was young Adam Mason in the centre and further confidence can be taken from the debut appearance of Fenton Dickinson who made the most of his opportunity to show his ability.

There will be big questions asked on the training paddock for Trafford players this week. Competing for promotion requires consistency and sticking with game plans. This coming weekend Trafford MV players will need to get their act together against a Leigh side that will now be smelling blood.

Trafford MV’s superiority is now in doubt and the players will need to turn up and reinforce their ambitions. Kick off will be at 2.15pm on Saturday afternoon and local supporters are welcome. Admission is free.

Trafford MV Ladies were more successful with a 48-7 victory over Winnington Park Ladies on Sunday, player of the match for Trafford MV was Steph Gray who scored 2 tries and played well in both attack and defence.

New players for the men’s and women’s teams are always welcome at Trafford MV as are players for all our mini/junior age groups too. Get in touch with wilfdooley@virginmedia.com