In bright sunny conditions, ideal for open running rugby, Trafford MV welcomed Lancashire side Tarleton to MacPherson Park in round 5 of the Counties 1 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire League. With both sides having won 2 from their opening 4 games a decent contest was on the cards but both teams were wanting to impress. As the game kicked off it was the visitors that showed good early form and opened the scoring following a charged down kick quickly moved wide left for the Tarleton wing to score 0-5. Trafford worked hard against a strong running opposotion and nudged themselves ahead when a good break down the left gave Eanna Glynn enough room to race away and touch down. Luke O'Shea converted 7-5 to TMV. Trafford were ruffling feathers and Tarleton collected a yellow card for over reactive temperament and Trafford used their advantage to drive a maul over with Craig Collier scoring 12-5. Trafford found themselves in trouble again when another kick was charged down and the scramble defence wasn't enough to keep Tarleton out, conversion missed again 12-10. The visiting team were getting upset with Traffords dominance up front and succumbed to a further yellow card. Trafford kicked deep into the right corner and a lineout catch and drive saw Craig Collier collect his second try of the game with Luke O'Shea adding the extras 19-10. As half time approached O'Shea slotted a penalty over to go into the break 22-10 ahead.
Trafford now had to keep their composure but there was surely more to come. Both sides opened the half strongly each scoring within a few minutes of the restart 27-17 and then Trafford moved further ahead with another push over try and Craig Collier sealing his hat trick 32-17. With Trafford looking to be in control it was now that the wheels came off the bus and the game swung massively the way of Tarleton. First a pushover try 32-22 followed by a defence splitting break to score under the posts 32-29. A penalty to MV to nudge back ahead 35-29 but then Tarleton seemed to score at will as Trafford ran out of stem and defence crumbled. Three late tries gave Tarleton a flattering scoreline and showing Trafford how unforgiving life can be at this higher level if fitness and composure are not maintained for 80 minutes. The final score of 35-53 moved Tarleton up to 4th place with West Park (St Helens) unbeaten leaders. Trafford slipped in the rankings to 8th place, just ahead of their next opponents Wilmslow who meet this coming weekend (Oct 12th). Hooker Craig Collier picked up the Player of the Match award for Trafford MV.
Trafford MV are keen to recruit quality local rugby players who feel they can compete at 1st and 2nd XV Rugby to add to their challenge in the 2024/25 campaign. Maybe you are new to the area, had a break from the game or need to play your rugby in a new environment with new challenges. Whatever the reason may be just drop us a message to wilfdooley@virginmedia.com or contact our Head Coach Brian Collier on 07592 984621
Traffords 3rd XV had a good win over local opponents Carrington 1st XV 33-14 with 5 tries from Callum Boyd, Matt Coxon, Joe Gray, James Diaper and Chris Lenferna. Callum Boyd converted 3 and Adam Mason 1. Matt Coxon collected the Player of the Match and Seamus Boyd made his debut for the team.
3rd XV v Carrington 33:14 (WIN)
Tries:- Callum Boyd Matt Coxon Joe Gray James Diaper Chris Lenferna
Conversions:- Callum Boyd x 3 Adam Mason x 1
Saturdays match against Carrington was the true definition of 3rd team rugby. Bringing just 11 players , Carrington were supplemented with 4 MV regulars (Mason, squidge, Halsall and J Smith). The first half did not start as intended with MVs side featuring returning players from previous years showing a bit of rust, initially going 7 nil down following strong backs work from Squidge and Adam Mason. MV did strike back almost instantly from a breakaway first try well taken by Chris Lenferna, followed up by a penalty try against MV and a yellow card, also for Lenferna. HT Score 7-14
Half time brought in significant change with MV reclaiming Adam Mason and introducing Matt Coxon who proved to be a gamechanger. The constant pod work from MVs forwards began to make significant inroads as Carrington tired and injuries began to take a toll, strong running from the returning Gareth Mallion and Joe Gray began to prove too strong for Carrington's defence with holes beginning to open up that were capitalised on by both Matt Coxon and Callum Boyd both scoring, the latter of which was followed up by a fantastic conversion from the touchline by Adam Mason. As the game came to a close there was enough time for a strong breakaway try finished under the posts by James Diaper, as well as a try from the returning Gray, albeit with questionable grounding. FINAL SCORE 33-14 MOTM COXON
