Trafford MV stay top despite Southport loss

By Wilf Dooley

Trafford MV’s shaky start to 2024 continued at Southport on Saturday as they lost their 2nd game on the trot making their hold on the top spot in the League ever more fragile.

Trafford were without their captain Danny Burke with a knee injury and had other team changes to contend with, on the plus side they had new signing Callum Yates making his 1st XV debut in the centre alongside skipper on the day Jamie Kingdon.

The home side were first to show their intent with a good opening period of play which earned them a try before Trafford had even got their first breath, the conversion was missed for an early 5 – 0 lead. The level of pressure was maintained and it wasn’t long before Trafford conceded a penalty leaving themselves 8 – 0 down.

Trafford MV were struggling to keep a check on the enthusiasm shown by the home side

and some good running and slick hands from Southport allied with poor tackles from MV lead to a try wide on the right which went unconverted 13 – 0.

Trafford eventually strung together a good spell of forward play which resulted in Micah Dyos crashing over under the posts, Pat Eccles converted which meant game on at 13 – 7. The penalty count was going against TMV and the score was soon 16 – 7 as a further kick went over.

Trafford were showing glimpses of what they could do with good breaks from Callum Yates in the centre and Jordan Rigg on the wing however scrappy handling and weak first time tackles were causing problems.

Despite this TMV hit back with driving play from the forwards once more resulting in Lewis Kingdon scoring and Pat Eccles converting to come right back into the game 16-14.

Almost straight from the restart very poor defence from TMV sees Southport score down left wing 23 – 14 to put the visitors right back on their heels. Southport were looking the more committed side and Trafford went further behind as poor scrum defence let Southport in for a converted try 30 – 14.

Trafford battled to get something out of the game but time was now against them and a consolation score from Jordan Rigg wide on the right converted by Pat Eccles brought the final score to 30 – 21 for Trafford’s third defeat of the season. Trafford’s joint Players of the Match were Callum Yates and Leon Passley.

Fortunately for Trafford MV there was also a defeat for 2nd placed Sefton who lost at Tyldesley 25 – 15 to ease the pain, Trafford maintain a 6 point lead at the head of the Counties 2 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire League.

It is now time for Trafford to reinvigorate their season, whether poor form or complacency has crept in, there needs to be a big step up in performance and desire to win games. Competition for results has been too soft since the turn of the year and the onus has got to move away from the training paddock and onto the playing arena.

Fleetwood are next up for the Sale base Trafford MV as they head to the coast this coming weekend for a rearranged fixture.

Trafford MV’s other teams had a mixed weekend as the 2nd XV romped home 99 – 14 winning against Aldwinians with hat tricks for Adam Mason and Charlie Valentine –

Player of the Match was Jimmy Crave. Traffords 3rd XV went down 0 – 45 against League leaders Glossop with Player of the Match Bobby Harrop. This coming weekend Traffords 3rd XV are at home to Marple 2nds kicking off at 2.15pm.

New players are very welcome at Trafford MV just come along and introduce yourself to the coaching team on the day. With the 6 Nations Rugby starting in Feb we look forward to an upsurge in interest in the sport of Rugby Union