TraffordMVRFCC

Trafford MV U15s rounded off a successful season and tour with a convincing victory over Tyldesley in the final of the Lancashire RFU plate. One might have thought the players would not be at their best after an early morning departure from their Edinburgh tour to the final. But not a bit of it. The players saved one of their best performances of the season in the 43 - 17 victory in front of a very lively crowd at Rochdale RUFC. Expectations were clearly high for supporters of both teams. 

 

The game was keenly contested in the early stages, with both teams looking for forward dominance. The breakdown was particularly fierce without either team being able to win quick, clean ball.  Tyldesley tried to get on the front foot only for Dickinson to shut down any momentum with some dominant tackling. 

 

However, Trafford began to assert themselves and were awarded a series of penalties as Tyldesley regularly edged offside. The first try came from great interplay between forwards and backs with the telling inside pass from winger Sando for hooker Davenport to crash over. Full back, Sweeney added the conversion. MV didn’t have to wait long for the second try, as Tyldesley couldn’t get out of their 22. The forwards mauled their way to the tryline where O'Shea touched down close to the posts. Sweeney again added the extras. 

 

Tyldesley looked to respond and tried kicking for corners.  The kicks were defended resolutely and MV’s third try came from turning defence into attack. Another Tyldesley kick went to Sando who caught and returned with interest.  He kicked through for Clarke to keep the ball alive with a sublime offload to Traynor who burst through the Tyldesley line to run in under the posts.  The conversion was a formality. 21 – 0 Trafford.

 

Tyldesley managed to register their first try shortly before half time as one of the centres to evaded MV tacklers.   The conversion was missed and the half time whilst blew with the scores at 21 – 5 to MV.  Tyldesley had a foothold in the game.

 

However, Tyldesley’s first score was cancelled out early in the second half.  There was more great interplay between forwards and backs, as centre Manning broke through several tackles to offload to Newton to score in the corner.  The challenging conversion was slotted over by Josh.  28 – 5 to MV.

 

Tyldesley responded with their second try which was converted.  The game was become increasingly fractious as tempers frayed. Tyldesley were penalised 30metres in front of the posts and Sweeney added the 3 points. 

 

MV added a further try through more dominant forward play as they mauled over for Roberts to score to the left of the posts. The conversion was unsuccessful on this occasion. 36 - 12 to MV. 

 

The victory was effectively sealed as Tyldesley kicked poorly.   The kick only found centre Manning just outside the Tyldesley 22. He evaded some tired tackling to score to the right of the posts. Sweeney converted to put MV 43-12 ahead. 

 

The game entered the last 10 minutes and Tyldesley upped the intensity. Roberts jumped for a bouncing ball only to be taken out in the air by a reckless tackle. That was the spark that ignited an already bad tempered game. The referee struggled to get control before giving a yellow card to the Tyldesley player. This incident only sought to inspire MV further.  The MV tackling increased further in its ferocity with Roberts and Newton leading the charge. 

 

Tyldesley's discipline evaporated altogether despite a consolation try in over time. The referee issuing a red card to a Tyldesley player for dissent. The conversion was missed. 

 

Final score 43 - 17 to Trafford MV. Captain, Roberts lifted the trophy with the squad to be crowned Lancashire Plate winners for 2025/26 season. A great finale to a very successful season.  Congratulations lads.