In excellent rugby playing conditions MV went into this Lancashire
Plate 1st Round game against Burnley with some trepidation. A
disappointing level of unavailability and late cry offs saw MV go into
the game with a much weakened selection. However it became evident from the opening engagements between the sides that the MV players were up for the game.

A good sized crowd of spectators saw MV aggressive in the tackle and at the breakdown and good handling saw the ball moved wide frequently. Burnley were not the expected force up front that MV know them for and MV dominated early possession. Second row Andrew Clegg opened the scoring when a break down the right flank saw him stroll through a gaping defence after only 5 min's , Ben Wheeler converted for an early 7-0 lead. Good possession was the basis of MV's win with Quigley, Davison and Rocky in the back row crashing in tackles and winning turnover ball seemingly at will.

MV's second try came from winger James Matthie who's pace was to prove a telling factor on the day, Wheeler again converted for a 14-0 advantage. Mv scored again before the break when former centre, now hooker, Sean Garvey burst through close to the posts giving a lead at half time of 21-0 with wheeler converting.

Burnley didn't seem to have any answer and as the sides changed ends MV's momentum was maintained. Matthie scored his second and MV's 4th wide on the left and then Quigley picked up from the base of a ruck 30 yards out and burst through the passive defence and score beneath the posts. Wheelers conversion and an added penalty now saw MV with an increasingly comfortable 36-0 advantage. When it looked like MV would complete a clean sheets Burnley took advantage of some poor MV interplay and hit back against the run of play. The conversion and a quickly added penalty brought some consolation at 36-10.

The try scoring for MV and for James Matthie in particular was not
over as the flying winger struck twice more as Burnley had no answer to his pace and support play. With both tries scored out wide the conversion proved too difficult for new skipper Ben Wheeler who was pleased with his teams performance. The final score 46-10 was evidence that the hard pre-season work MV have put in has stood them in good stead for the tests that are to come. Notable performances came from Rocky the flanker making his 1st XV debut, veteran Andy Pennington and try scorer James Natthie.

This weekend Trafford MV face the same opposition but away from home in a North Lancs Div One game. Both sides are likely to feature a number of changes but MV's result in this game will surely be a confidence booster.

MV will be turning out 3 sides on Saturday with the 2nds and 3rds
playing at home, MacPherson Park against Eccles and Linley
respectively. MV are keen to hear from anyone wanting to play rugby
union for an ambitious local amateur club with a traditional rugby
ethos.

Trafford MV Hawks mini/junior rugby returns to MacPherson Park on Sunday morning at 10.30am - for boys and girls from 4 years upwards - new players are very welcome - contact the Club on 0161 973 7061