Trafford MV win the league title away at Leigh

By Wilf Dooley

Trafford MV went into last Saturday’s game full of hope and expectation however the ball was not all in their own court as they pressed for promotion and potentially the league championship.

In their way was a spirited Leigh RFC side playing at their home ground Round Ash Park and also Southport RFC who were looking for a home win to secure their 2nd place and keep their promotion hopes alive.

Trafford MV went into the game with a couple of changes in the front row with Connor Monaghan and Joe Walls coming into the side. Confidence was high but their was a big job in hand and lots of hard graft to be done to secure success. Trafford were backed up by good away support lining both sides of the pitch giving vocal support.

The game opened in good conditions on an excellent playing surface and a slow start from Trafford, which is a must improve area, saw them concede a try in the very early minutes of the game which Leigh converted to give a wake up call to the champions elect 7 – 0 to Leigh.

Trafford stepped up and worked their way up-field and pressure in the Leigh ’22 area forced a penalty which stand off Pat Eccles confidently slotted over to narrow the score to 7-3. Leigh were playing a very spoiling game and Trafford were getting frustrated and as they reacted to the spoiling tactics a penalty was conceded which edged Leigh 10-3 ahead.

With half time approaching the referee was getting tired of speaking to Leigh and a yellow card was dished out giving Trafford the advantage. Trafford were beginning to show dominance in set pieces and their forward momentum was gaining which saw a driving maul inch it’s way towards the Leigh try line and it was hooker Craig Collier who was attached to the ball as the drive crossed the line to claim the try.

Pat Eccles was once again deadly accurate as the ball soared between the uprights. The referee blew for half time with the score level at 10-10.

As the second half opened Trafford were again slow to get out of the blocks and tackling could have, and should have, been more assured. Leigh struck early in the half as good quick hands caught Trafford flat footed on the blind side to score in the corner, conversion missed 15-10 to Leigh.

As Trafford took the play into the Leigh half intent to get back on par some shabby passing and control of ball saw Leigh collect and race away through the midfield linking up and scoring under the posts to make the conversion a formality 22 – 10 to Leigh.

Leigh were finding it hard to contend with Trafford’s forward play and niggles were creeping in which lead to a second yellow card after which Trafford were almost sucker punched with yet another breakaway which was thwarted by full back Luke O’Shea who was having a good defensive game. 

Leighs frustrations were boiling over and the referee had to keep a sharp eye as Leigh suffered a third yellow card now leaving them 2 men down, just 13 players remaining on the pitch. This allowed Trafford to exert their dominance and with Danny Burke coming off the bench this added to Traffords forwards go forward play.

Line out catch and drives, scrum dominance and forward possession was now mounting and Trafford launched heavy attacks in the home sides ’22 zone. Hooker Craig Collier collected his second try of the game as a lineout catch and drive forced it’s way over the try line, Pat Eccles adding the extra’s 22-17.

The pressure was all now from Trafford and Leigh let themselves down again picking up their 4th yellow card of the game. It was on the back of this card that Trafford scored again as a driving maul allowed scrum half Pat Eccles to sneak over from close range followed up by his own conversion to seal the game at 22-24 for Trafford MV.

This win secured promotion for Trafford but the players had to wait for news of Southport’s 21-26 home defeat by Littleborough for the COUNTIES 2 ADM LANCASHIRE & CHESHIRE league winners title to be confirmed.

Player of the Match for Trafford MV was Connor Monaghan outstanding in his scrumaging and forward play backed up in their performances in the back by Pat Eccles and Leon Passley.

This was a determined effort from Trafford MV coming from behind and rounding off 2 years hard work and commitment under head coach Brian Collier.

The Club congratulates all the players that have contributed to the cause over this season and last, growing in stature, integrating new players and bringing through new young talent. The coaching team and back room staff led by Brian Collier are also congratulated and thanked for their commitment to getting a competitive squad onto the field each and every week (not only for the 1st XV but 2nd and 3rd XV’s also).

We now look forward to the final 2 games of the season to set our standards to take forward with us into the 2024/25 season.

This coming weekend Trafford MV welcome Fleetwood RFC to MacPherson Park (M33 6LR) for the final 1st XV home game of the season. Trafford will be going all out to impress in front of their home support kicking off at 3.00pm. Local support is welcomed free admission. Bar open and food available.