Trafford MV lose by just one point against New Brighton

By Wilf Dooley

Trafford MV 1st XV travelled to the Wirral to take on their joint promoted rivals New Brighton on a perfect day for Rugby Union to be played.

Callum Yates held onto scrum half spot in the absence of injured captain Pat Eccles and Andrew Clegg captained the side once again. Ben Wainwright came into the centres for the missing Joe Owen. Trafford were confident following home and away wins last season – but what would life at the higher level hold.

Both teams played well and the packs gave good accounts of themselves throughout the game, the story of the season will prove to be the effectiveness of back lines as sound defence and clinical finishing will make the difference to results.

The first half saw Trafford score 2 tries through youngsters Adam Mason and Luke O’Shea, who converted both. In response New Brighton replied with 2 of tries of their own converting one of them and landing a penalty. The 15-14 score line at the break reflected the competitiveness of the game.

The second half was equally hard fought with nothing between the teams. Trafford scored 3 more tries through hooker Craig Collier, centre Jamie Kingdon and second row Micah Dyos.

Fly half Luke O’Shea converted one and the referee awarded a penalty try as Trafford scored a good 24 points. Defence however allowed New Brighton to score just as many points and this is definitely an area that Trafford need to work hard one.

The final score 39-38 to New Brighton meant Trafford at least brought home 2 losing bonus points one for scoring 4 tries and the other for losing within 7 points. Player of the match for TMV was the in form Lewis Kingdon. Trafford collected 2 yellow cards during the game for Chris Ward and Craig Collier.

The result puts TMV 5th in the league level on 12 points but behind on points scored difference with Heaton Moor and Liverpool St Helens. Leading the league is West Park (St Helens) while currently propping the rest up is Glossop who started with a points deduction in place.

Traffords 2nd XV hosted Aldwinians at MacPherson Park and played well to collect a good 25-19 home win. Trafford continue to blood new young players and 3 players made their 2nd XV debuts with Adam Fall, Naveed Heap-Allen and Nico Pickard having their first run out’s for the 2nds.

Trafford scored tries through James Halsall, Adam Whitworth and Connor Ryan. Callum Boyd and Jason Alexander converted one apiece and Boys added 2 penalties. Kalum Doohan picked up the Player of the Match award. The 2nd XV lie in 5th position with 3 other teams also  on 15 points in a tight league led by Glossop and bottomed by Rochdale.

This coming weekend Trafford will be fielding 3 teams with the 1st XV hosting Tarleton, the 2nd XV at home to North Manchester and the 3rd XV also at home with Carrington the opponents.

Trafford MV are keen to bring people back into the game who may have dropped out over the Covid break and lost the habit of lacing up those boots – just make contact wilfdooley@virginmedia.com for info.