Trafford MV edge nearer to the title with win over Oldham

By Wilf Dooley

On Saturday afternoon following periods of heavy rain the weather finally settled down and Trafford MV took to an excellent pitch and welcomed Oldham to MacPherson Park continuing the Club title challenge with only 4 games left to play.

Trafford MV are being looked upon by many teams in the league as champions-elect however there is still a job to be done.

The opening 20 minuets was a scrappy, cautious period when both sides opted to kick for position, maybe wary of the wet ball, but this was potentially a time when Trafford should have imposed their style of play from the opening whistle.

Eventually as the players came to grips with the conditions it was Trafford that tasted blood first as the ball was moved nicely through the hands to the left where try machine Jamie Kingdon was on hand to power over and finish the move, Pat Eccles missed with the conversion attempt.

Brotherly love was in the air as Lewis Kingdon followed only a couple of minutes later as a series of forward drives enabled him to scamper through a scrambling defence to dive over and get the touch down, Pat Eccles was successful with the conversion this time to put the Sale based side 12-0 ahead. 

Oldham replied with a solo try from Alex Jobson who fielded a Trafford kick near the half way line to weave his way through the oncoming defence and score wide out to the right, the conversion falling short 12-5.

Trafford struck back almost immediately as pressure mounted in the Oldham ’22 a penalty was awarded and Trafford chose to scrummage. From here Kieran Edgar picked up at No 8 and surged forward bouncing off defenders on his way to the try line close to the sticks making the conversion a formality for Pat Eccles. The teams went into the half time break with TMV leading 19-5.

Things looked ominous for Oldham as the second half opened but all credit to them for putting in a very spirited defence and indeed some good attempts of their own.

The best score of the game came when Trafford built a good attacking position from forward drives and good support play, the ball was shipped excellently through a number of pairs of hands in the Trafford back line and it was centre Leon Passley, playing his best rugby to date, that made the telling break and split the flailing Oldham defence to score in the wide left position. The conversion was just missed by Pat Eccles.

Trafford snuffled any Oldham opportunities holding them up over the line and Pat Eccles making to fine, potentially, try saving tackles in his own ’22 danger zone. Final score 24-5 to Trafford MV. Leon Passley collected the Player of the Match award for Trafford MV.

All in all this was yet another very good, bonus point performance from Trafford MV which now leaves them 11 points ahead of second placed Southport with 3 games now left to play.

Southport are keeping the pressure on however with a very good 52-7 wine over bottom placed Fleetwood. Trafford now have a rest week and build for their next league game away at Leigh on March 16th.

There was mixed fortunes for Traffords other teams, the 2nd XV drew 15-15 with Blackburn and a short manned 3rd XV came off worst at Eccles losing 85-3.

This weekend Trafford Clubhouse will be open to all local Rugby supporters who want to watch the 6 Nations games in a friendly Rugby environment we look forward to seeing some new faces join us for the games. England play Ireland at 4.45pm on Saturday.

(Picture by Ian Rogers)