Trafford MV extend lead at the top with a win at Collegiate

By Wilf Dooley

Trafford MV are now at the business end of the season going into this fixture at Liverpool Collegiate with only 5 games left to play.

Conditions were wet and windy on the postage stamp sized pitch on Merseyside, the pitch was very heavy in parts after recent persistent rainy weather. The Sale based club travelled with a strong side and had newcomer Tom Astbury and former Colt Andrew Beale both set to make 1st XV debuts on the day.

Confidence was high in the Trafford camp ahead of the game however, as we have seen before this season, you need to play as tough as you talk and lowly Liverpool were not listening to MV’s talk.

The home side came out of the blocks full of confidence and determination and took the game to TMV right from the start. Within the first 5 minutes Trafford had given away a kickable penalty and had conceded at soft try to trail 8-0 and this was followed 10 min later as the TMV scrum was shunted back over their own try line for a pushover try which was easily converted to go 15-0 ahead.

It looked as if the wheels had come off Trafford’s chariot in their title charge !

Trafford clawed their way back into the game gradually finding their way to winning more ball through scrum and lineout.

Pressure began to mount on the home side and as TMV forced a series of penalties close to the Liverpool line the ball finally flew through the backs hands out to left wing Eanna Glynn to dive over, avoiding the cover defence, in the left corner.

Kicker Pat Eccles had a strong cross wind to contend with and the conversion fell short 15-5. Better quality possession was allowing Trafford to grow into the game and it was similar play which once again saw the ball being played out to the left flank for Eanna Glynn once again to get the better of his opponent to score on the left near the corner flag, Pat Eccles was again found wanting with the conversion attempt 15-10.

With half time break approaching Liverpool kicked deep into the Trafford half for the ball to be fielded by debutant Tom Astbury who made a short run evading oncoming defence to the launch a huge cross field kick to the left wing for Eanna Glynn to field and kick ahead in his stride leaving the home defence flat footed.

It was now a foot chase to get to the ball before it went over the dead ball line which he succeeded in to bring the scores level. Pat Eccles once again missed the opportunity to push TMV ahead. With the score 15-15 at the interval it was not a time to relax Trafford still had a job to do.

As the second half opened it was Collegiate that took the early initiative as they forced a penalty 18-15.

Andrew Beales made a brief debut appearance as Lewis Kingdon was being patched up and you could see that Trafford were getting the upper hand in the set pieces as the home scrum was being shunted backwards. Kieran Edgar picked up from No 8 following one of the shunts and powered through a struggling defence to crash over and put MV ahead for the first time in the game 18-20.

The conversion was once again missed. Trafford were turning the screws in the scrum and a pick and go by Kieran Edgar was taken and driven on further by Sam Wilson giving Micah Dyos the forward momentum and failing defence to crash over close the the uprights and touchdown.

Pat Eccles was left with no alternative, thanks to the close proximity to the sticks, but to simply convert 18-27 to Trafford MV. Collegiate responded with a penalty kick 21-27.

Trafford took the game back at Liverpool and following good scrum ball once again a well rehearsed switch move by Callum Yates saw Jamie Kingdon hit a good running line to saunter in under the sticks for Pat Eccles to convert once again 21-34.

Trafford were playing reasonably well but coach Brian Collier was frantic on the touchline as the game wasn’t being killed off by Trafford, scrappy defence and needless penalties allowed the home side to run a try in under the Trafford posts and convert to close the gap at 28-34.

Andrew Beale was back on finalising his debut and adding fresh legs and Liverpool finally picked up a yellow card for repeated infringements. Further good scrum ball saw the ball whipped wide left again, this time for Tom Astbury to squeeze over in the corner, Pat Eccles had now found his range and converts 28-41.

With time running out Collegiate scored the final points of the game with an unconverted try to push Trafford all the way for a final score and a double bonus point win for a 33-41 score line. Eanna Glynn collected the Player of the Match award for Trafford MV.

Trafford had a secondary boost as title contenders Southport slipped up in their visit to Leigh who ran out 30-24 winners to leave Trafford with a 12 point lead at the top of the table to defend, South port remain 2nd placed ahead of Sefton who won narrowly at Oldham 21-25. Trafford now have a rest week before they welcome Oldham to MacPherson Park (M33 6LR) on March 2nd.

This weekend Trafford MV 2nds make the trip to Tyldesley while the Trafford MV 3rd XV are hosting Marple 2nd XV.

This coming weekend Feb 24th Trafford MV Clubhouse will also be showing all the 6 Nation Championship games – non members are welcome to join us for the games. New playing members are always welcome at training on Tuesday/Thursday evenings at 6.45pm