West Park out gun Trafford MV in jaw dropping defeat

By Wilf Dooley

Trafford MV’s troubled life in Counties 1 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire League continued as they lost out to league leaders West Park (St Helens) on a bright, breezy February afternoon in Merseyside.

Trafford’s 1st XV selection had been severely hampered during the week which forced a number of changes by head coach Brian Collier, first team debuts came for Laurence Ryan and Callum Boyd. 

West Park opened strongly and the first half was mostly theirs as they used quick ball to their wide players to ample effect. Tries came for the home side at frequent intervals and despite Trafford crossing the line on 4 occasions, the ball being held up on each occasion,

West Park owned the scoreboard leading 43-0 at half-time. Trafford competed well at times but the dangers lay out wide with the wing players for West Park.

Fortunes changed in the second period of play as Trafford played to their strengths and limited possession for the opponents to attack with. Tries came Trafford was through Kieran Edgar, Joe Owen and Jimmy Craven with Pat Eccles converting 2 of them.

Trafford actually got the better of the second half taking it 14-19 but the damage had been done earlier. A winger for the home side collected 36 points which capped a great game for him. Jimmy Craven was Player Of The Match for Trafford for the second week running rewarding his good form of late.

The final score 57-19 was deserved but somewhat flattering for West Park and keeps the pressure on Trafford MV as we enter the business end of the season.

The result keeps Trafford under the threat of relegation but with only 4 points separating the 6 teams fighting to avoid the second from bottom spot, above penalised Glossop, anything could happen !

This coming weekend Trafford are on the road heading for another tough game this time at 3rd placed Tarleton.