Trafford MV suffer heavy defeat by high flying Wilmslow

By Wilf Dooley

Last Saturday brought a day perfect for running rugby, and Wilmslow came prepared for the job with a slick running backline and a big mobile pack.

Trafford MV, on the other hand, disappointed with noticeable absences, returning retirees, and a scattering of very young players. Wilmslow looked a team in their prime and justified their 2nd placing in the ADM League 1 behind Eccles.

Trafford MV opened with good early pressure, but it was not long before the threat before them became evident as Wilmslow slipped the ball along their attacking backline to score wide left, making it 0-5.

The visitors added within minutes as their right wing raced 30 yards down the touchline, rounding off the score under the posts to be converted, making it 0-12. It was now becoming one-way traffic as Wilmslow sailed in for try number 3 for a 0-17 lead.

Trafford rallied through their forwards as a driving maul crashed over the line under the posts by captain Andrew Clegg, converted by Aaron Booth, bringing the score to 7-17. Trafford were then hit with a double whammy leading up to halftime as 2 kicks out of defense were fielded in wide-open spaces for Wilmslow to run in 2 easy tries, both converted, for a dominant 7-31 halftime lead.

Nothing changed in the second half as Wilmslow continued their dominance, running in a further 4 tries and converting 3 of them. Trafford’s only consolation was a second forward driving maul, this time with Micah Dyos getting the final touch and Booth converting.

This resounding 14-57 defeat pushed Trafford to the foot of the table and leaves Wilmslow 2nd placed, level with Eccles on points. Trafford now have a week to regroup before another tough encounter traveling to 3rd placed Warrington.

Having only 3 home fixtures scheduled in the first half of the season, Trafford MV will be living in hope that a run of home games in the second half of the season could prove positive, but things will need to improve and a greater cohesion in the team must be found.