Trafford MV relegation fears ease after win against Glossop

By Wilf Dooley

Trafford MV Rugby 1st XV did themselves no harm at all on Saturday as they gave themselves a good glimmer of hope in their seemingly relentless relegation battle this season.

With one game left to play, away at Liverpool St Helens in two weeks’ time, a win against bottom team Glossop moved TMV out of the relegation places – can this be maintained? Let’s hope so.

The game started in excellent conditions in front of a large home crowd, and Trafford knew there would be a physical challenge from the visitors Glossop, so a strong start was important.

Trafford showed great intensity from the opening minute, and the scoreboard turned over with a Micah Dyos try and Pat Eccles conversion. This was quickly followed by wing Lewis Kingdon touching down and Eccles converting, and Glossop were looking rattled.

TMV were then hit by injuries, with full-back Luke O’Shea and Lewis Kingdon going off injured. Trafford shuffled their team and ploughed on, with further tries coming from Chris Ward, Adam Mason, and Kieran Edgar, with Eccles converting them all. Glossop responded with two converted tries, and Trafford had a comfortable 38-14 halftime lead.

The second half saw a big turnaround, with TMV taking their foot off the pedal and Glossop coming right back into the game. A yellow card for Craig Collier hampered TMV further, and Glossop were in control, and points came their way.

As the game went on, the gap between the sides narrowed, and Pat Eccles took the option of a penalty kick at goal, which in the end, was to prove decisive in the eventual 41-38 win.

Joe Walls and Adam Mason played well in the centres for Trafford, and young Adam Halsall continued his induction to 1st XV rugby with a try-saving tackle, maybe the tackle of the season, and showing a very capable performance. The first half from TMV was excellent, but a full 80-minute game has still to be worked on and yet to be achieved.

Player of the Match for Trafford was Adam Halsall. This coming weekend, Trafford MV 2nd XV play their Cup semi-final against Fylde at home with a 3:00 pm kick-off; all support welcomed.