Newly promoted Trafford MV finds Burnage too hot to handle

By Wilf Dooley

As a prelude to the start of the season for newly promoted Trafford MV they welcomed Burnage RFC to MacPherson Park in excellent conditions for a pre-season run out.

The teams agreed to play 4 quarters allowing them to rotate their squads and try various combinations of players during the game – this suited Burnage more as their smaller player squad allowed for a more consistent team format as opposed to Trafford’s multiple changes at each play break.

It was quickly evident that Burnage, who played 2 leagues above Trafford last season, were going to prove a tough test for the home side.

The fist quarter saw Trafford lose former captain Danny Burke to a serious knee injury within the first couple of minutes. Good pressure from MV was quickly turned around as Burnage broke out of defence with excellent handling and pace cutting through the defence for a try down the right, conversion missed 0 – 5 to the visitors.

This was quickly followed by another incisive try, under the posts, for an easy conversion 0 – 12 , the writing looked to be on the wall ! Just before the break on 20 mins Burnage struck again with a converted try 0 – 19.

Would the changes in players change the game – apparently not !  The 2nd quarter went much as the first with the visitors showing good decision making, pace and excellent handling skills to run in 3 converted tries in the second 20 minute stint.

Trafford were competing well up front in both scrum and lineout but as soon as the ball reached the Burnage backs the alarm bells were ringing for TMV. At half time therefore Trafford looked out of their depth and in trouble at 0 – 40 , would head coach Brian Collier be able turn things around in the second half ?

Trafford’s forwards were still competing well against a bigger opposition and their efforts were duly rewarded with a driving maul which hooker Craig Collier got the final touchdown to break MV’s duck – But not until Burnage themselves had scored and converted 5 – 47.

The teams exchanged scores once again in the 3rd quarter with a converted try to Burnage and Trafford scoring down the right as Jamie Parker fielded a kick, breaking upfield and then putting Jordan Rigg away as the winger outpaced the covering defence.

Pat Eccles converted. the score in this quarter was much more competitive at 12 – 14 but the match score 12 – 54.

Trafford were now playing with more confidence as the final quarter got underway and once again it was a story of exchanged scores as Burnage scored an unconverted try and Trafford MV responded with a good break away with Luke O’Shea and Fenton Dickinson showing their awareness and the latter getting the try for O’Shea to convert allowing TMV to claim the final quarter 7 – 5 but losing the game 19 – 59.

This was a learning game for Trafford MV to see how the level of rugby improves as you climb the leagues. Pace, power and precision all need to be worked on by the home side but overall they are a competitive unit. With the expected return of players over the next couple of weeks and the bonus of several young players maturing after a seasons senior rugby then things are looking good for Trafford.

MV will await news on the injury to Danny Burke, a key player in the squad, hopefully the news will be promising.

The Club now look ahead to the 1st Round on the Lancashire Trophy to be played at MacPherson Park on Sat Aug 31st ko 3.00pm with Warrington RFC as the opposition.

This will be preceded by a memorial game in honour of Dave Hughes and will be contested by players from the 2nd and 3rd XV’s plus guest players.

New players are always welcome at Trafford MV whether you are a competitive senior looking for 1st XV game time or a recreational player seeking occasional run out when work and family life allow.

Whichever bucket you fall into we will be more than happy to welcome you into the fold and assure you a good time at Trafford MV. Mini / Junior / Youth Rugby returns to Trafford MV on Sunday September 8th – again players at all age levels from 4 years upwards are very welcome.

Drop wilfdooley@virginmedia.com a message if you need any info regarding any playing group