FOLLOWING a week of heavy rain and then a torrential downpour just before the game MV visited second placed Heaton Moor looking for a good performance to try and improve their own third placed position.

The pitch condition was soon to prove a determining factor in the game.

The home side had a stronger pack and this suited the conditions. . Heaton Moor used their weight advantage early on as they drove into the MV '22, repeating this saw them crash over the MV line from close quarters. The score was 5-0 .

MV tried hard to expand play but the success of this was limited by the conditions. MV pressure did result in a try for Jody Gregg who ploughed through in the centre close to the posts for Pat Eccles to convert to give MV a short lived lead. MV however were rushing their play and chances were missed as ball was spilled and wrong decisions made.

Missed opportunities allowed Moor to go back into the lead when MV gave the home winger too much room on the outside, showing good pace in difficult conditions the winger outpaced MV's cover and slid in from yards out on the greasy surface. 10-7 was the scoreline. This was extended just before half time as good lineout ball set up another forwards drive which saw Moor go 15-7 ahead at the break.

In the second half, Heaton Moor kicked a penalty to go 18-7 and then scored their bonus point try and looked to have the game sown up at 23-7.

MV were not to be outdone however and the last 10 minutes was one way traffic as MV launched an all out offensive on the Heaton Moor '22. Probing drives around the fringe brought a sneaky try for Pat Eccles who also converted to draw back to 23-14. MV launched attack after attack in the final minutes but it was too little too late from MV and the home sides defence held out for a deserved 23-14 bonus point win.

Trafford MV 1st XV are expected to be away in a re-arranged fixture against St Edward Old Boys next weekend - home fixtures at MV's MacPherson Park kick off at 2.15pm - Spectators welcome - free entry.