MV overcome Hutton (From Messenger Newspapers)

MV overcome Hutton

2:32pm Monday 18th February 2013 in News

TRAFFORD MV travelled to Hutton on Saturday, to play a team they hadn't beaten for three years, and produced their best performance of the season to edge out the hosts in a thrilling encounter.

The scene was set early with crunching tackling and hard running in the centre of the field.

MV gained territory and made inroads into the Hutton half. With plenty of runners, both Pat Eccles and Ben Wheeler had plenty of options forcing a stretched defence which allowed man of the match Pat Eccles to snipe round the side of a ruck outside a scrambling Hutton defence, the conversion was a formality for captain Wheeler and the score was 0-7 to Trafford.

Any time Hutton gained any momentum the fierce tackling of Pete Broadbent knocked the wind out of their sails.

MV's scrum was under immense pressure and Mark Hodgson picked up numerous times at no. 8, it was from one of these scrums that MV got their next scoring opportunity. With Hodgson having picked up the Hutton back row killed the ball and MV were awarded a shot at goal. From wide out on the left and 45meters from the try line it was always a tough ask, Wheeler missed the opportunity and MV had a half time score of 0-7.

Within minutes of the re-start MV were caught napping , a Hutton fly hack through saw MV fullback Bevan take out the chasing winger and was immediately shown yellow for his efforts. To add to this the referee awarded the home side a penalty try. Conversion slotted and 7-7.

Hutton were on the front foot but MV were given a reprieve when the Hutton blindside killed the ball and earned himself a 10 minutes rest. Hutton maintained a territorial advantage, and as soon as Bevan was back on the field Broadbent went to the bin bin for killing the ball. Mark Hodgson joined him 4 minutes later and Hutton were now 2 players better off but MV held firm. Hutton finally scored from an MV lineout as MV gave away the softest of tries 12-7 to Hutton.

Trafford were awarded a scrum which Hodgson picked up and went, Kevan and Clegg took the ball forward and then moved it wide to Wheeler for him to jink and stretch for the line to even up the scores. With a touchline touch line kick Wheeler held his nerve and converted his own try to take MV into a lead with 5 minutes to go 12-14.

MV showed maturity as they ground down the clock slowly and exhaustingly until the final whistle blew. MV had finally beaten Hutton, a strong and resolute performance from Trafford MV.