Trafford MV 2nd XV made the journey to Rochdale and came home with league points in the bag. Sustained pressure in the Rochdale half for most of the first 10 mins eventually led to a cynical knock on by Rochdale centre 10 metres out, the player was given a yellow card. From restart good hands moved the ball out to Charlie Valentine on the wing who bounces off one defender and drives through a second to touch down, unconverted for an early 0-5 lead to TMV. From restart there was some pressure from Rochdale then a turnover and runout of defence by Ollie Jones who linked up with Fenton Dickinson just inside the TMV half to run in the full 55 metres, the conversion by Charlie Valentine took the score to 0-12 after 30mins. Trafford were looking good and they kicked deep into the home '22 and the chasing attack led by Dickinson forced a turnover for scrum half Joe Best to run in and score with Valentine converting once again 0-19. Trafford were using the wind well and a deep kick from Jones brought a lineout which TMV won for Connor Monaghan to drive on, the ball was quickly recycled for hooker Phil Simms to power over. Valentine was again spot on with the conversion 0-26. Trafford finished the first half in style as they broke away from near their own try line with an interception by Sam Woolley who ran out of defence evading several tackles. The ball was secured and recycled through several pairs of hands which brought a try under the posts for scrum half Best. Valentine again converted putting Trafford MV in a very comfortable 0-33 lead away from home at half time.
Early in the second period play ebbed and flowed in each half of the pitch with the home side, Rochdale, striving to get a foothold. However try as they might they were under constant pressure, they tried to run a scrum ball away from their line but a knock on saw advantage played by the referee which led to Liam Crank running in, conversion goes wide 0-38. Things kept going Traffords way as Joe Hynes took on some good ruck ball Adam Whitworth was on his shoulder for an easy run in, conversion unsuccessful 0-43 to TMV. Rochdale finally found some consolation when on the halfway line a nice inside pass from their centre to blindside winger brought play up to 10m out from the TMV line. Several phases later and out wide the home side cheered for an easy run in by their centre 7-43. With daylight diminishing a knock on by one of the Rochdale forwards on their own 22m line saw advantage played and a pick up by Best for an easy run in and conversion by Valentine to close the scoring and the game at 7-50 to Trafford MV.
For Trafford MV fly half Ollie Jones collected the Player of the Match and scrum half Joe Best can be well pleased with his hat trick of tries. The time spent on the training pitch is now beginning to show the Trafford's 2nd XV as the creep up into 4th position in the league just a single point behind Aspull's Development XV and ahead of Wigan 2nd XV.
New players are always welcome at Trafford MV as the Club looks to offer regular rugby and excellent playing and social amenities to rugby players across South Manchester. For any info drop wilfdooley@virginmedia.com a message.
This week we have the Six Nations Championship kicking off and all games will be shown in the Clubhouse at Trafford MV RFCC (M33 6LR). The opening game kicks off at 8.00pm on Fri Evening Feb 2nd.
Please support the Club on and off the pitch by spectating at the home fixtures ( and away games if you can make it) and by bringing family and friends along to Club Social functions. Enjoy the food, drinks and hospitality on offer within the Club.
