WITH no game for the first team the spotlight fell on Trafford MV's second Xl.

And they did not disappoint as they beat local rivals Eccles 35-25 in their third-versus-second home clash in the County Courier Services Division Two North.

A close-fought thriller saw MV draw first blood with Jamie Kingdon breaching tackles in the centre for stand off Pat Eccles to convert.

The visitors responded with a break down the left to pull the score back to 7-5 but MV were soon back in front when scrum half Josh Andjelkovic sniped his way through the defence following a period of strong pressure and converting again for a 14-5 lead.

MV skipper Burke was yellow carded for deliberately being in an offside position and breaking down an attack, and Eccles responded with a converted try to make the half time score 14-12.

MV's blind side flanker Rocky Niedzwiecki scored a deserved try from close quarters to extend the lead, but back came the visitors again with a penalty and a converted try to take a 22-21 lead.

MV's precision with kick was to prove important and Pat Eccles made it 24-22 to MV before the lead changed hands again with a three-pointer to Eccles.

Another MV penalty put MV back in front and at this stage it was anybody's guess who was going to go on to win.

And when Eccles failed to take advantage of being given chances to put points on the board MV pressed on the opposition line and a neat inside pass allowed crash ball centre Sean Garvey to cut through the scrambled defence for a match-sealing score, the conversion making it 35-25 to MV.

MV's opening first team fixture of the year is away to North Lancashire Division One leaders Oldham on Saturday.