Trafford MV win on the road at Tyldesley

By Wilf Dooley

With just 6 league games left to play there is very little room for Trafford MV to make any more mistakes if they have their eyes on being league title winners and gaining promotion at the end of the season.

Trafford made the short journey to Tyldesley and despite a few changes to the team they were in confident mood on the back of their 48-12 home win against Tyldesley back in October.

Conditions were wet and very blustery with a strong cross-field wind blowing towards the clubhouse side of the pitch.

The game kicked off at Tyldesley’s St Georges Park and from the outset Trafford took the game to the opposition, getting the better of the early exchanges you could see that TMV had some intent in their game.

Trafford were pressing strongly when good catch and drive forward ball was moved into the backs, a slick switch on Callum Yates put Jamie Kingdon in under the posts virtually untouched by the defence. Pat Eccles slotted the conversion easily for an early 0-7 lead.

With points in the bag Trafford looked to kick deep and put pressure on Tyldesley with the kick/chase game plan. The home side earned a penalty shot which went wide but was a warning to TMV.

Trafford were threatening with their attacks and full back Luke O’Shea fell victim to a high tackle resulting in a penalty which Pat Eccles was successful with 0-10 to TMV. Soon after Tyldesley were back in contention when Trafford had the ball stripped from them in contact on the left wing, the ball was whipped across the home sides back line for their left wing to race away and score in the wide left corner, the angle proved too much for their kicker Aaron Booth 5-10 to TMV.

Tyldesley were again penalised for a high tackle which Pat Eccles kicked with ease 5-13. Just before half time Trafford again lost a ball taken into contact in midfield, an area of play they do need to improve upon, once again the ball was moved quickly to the left for a second try to the home side in that left corner. This time Aaron Booth converted 12-13 as the sides went into the half time break.

The second half saw the Trafford pack taking the ball hard at the home side, the good forward base led to good deep tactical kicking from Pat Eccles, Callum Yates and Luke O’Shea which kept the home side pinned in their own half for long periods. Hooker Craig Collier benefited as he chased one of the long kick down to force a try in the right hand corner. Tyldesley were penalised and yellow carded in the process. Pat Eccles added the conversion 12-20 to TMV.

Pat Eccles built on the score with a long range penalty which sailed between the uprights 12-23. Trafford continued to press the home sides defence and as Leon Passley powered in with the ball it was Micah Dyos who was close at hand to finish off the move and squeeze his way over the line, the conversion went wide 12-28.

Trafford controlled the closing stages of the game which saw frustrations creeping into the home sides game, TMV stood strong and the referee closed the game with the final whistle blown.

This was a solid performance from MV now with 3 wins on the bounce as they head into the final 5 games of the season.

They have plenty of good things to build upon but also a number of area’s that can still be improved as they see the season to an end. Player of the match for Trafford MV was Lewis Kingdon who put in yet another strong performance in both attack and defence. Good to see young players Joe Walls and Luke O’Shea growing in confidence game by game and learning from the more experienced players around them.

No game for the 1st XV this weekend but they are back on the road on Feb 17th as the head to Merseyside to take on Liverpool Collegiate. Trafford had a 31-12 home win at MacPherson Park back in November but it will be time to step up to yet another challenge for the 1st XV.

Six Nations on again this weekend – it was great to see a full Clubhouse for Round One. We are open to all local Rugby supporters of all Nations so please come and support in our friendly Clubhouse.