TRAFFORD Metrovicks suffered a 34-14 defeat in their third-versus-fourth clash with Ashton Under Lyne on Saturday.

The local hosts – the lower placed of the two sides – were always chasing the game and were 17-0 down before they got their first points on the board.

Both sides received a red card with less than five minutes on the clock as the high-flying teams looked to gain the upper hand early on in the North Lancashire Division One fixture sponsored by Clancy Consulting.

The French referee had to stamp his authority on the game from then on.

Ashton's pack showed a strength which MV had no answer to.

A plentiful supply of ball came from set pieces as Ashton dominated scrummage ball and line out possession.

A quick line brought the opening score and was followed quickly by a penalty for an early 10-0 lead.

MV just could not get enough ball to influence the game in the early stages and Ashton split the central defence for another try to go 17-0 up.

When MV did have the ball the potential was there but Ashton were working hard in defence too.

It was only when MV managed to get the ball to the wing did Chris Eccles find enough space to speed past his opposite number for a try on the touchline. His brother, and captain, Pat Eccles launched a superb conversion to reduce the deficit to 17-7.

Ashton's forward superiority was enforced just before half time when a scrum outside the MV 22 was shunted on towards the MV line, and MV's embarrassment was evident as the pushover try was converted for a 24-7 lead at the interval.

From the restart, and just when MV thought things could not get any worse, the half opened with yet another scrum close to the MV line from which Ashton drove the MV pack back over their line to extend the lead to 29-7.

Ashton had a playmaker in their number 10 who ran well and kicked the visiting side into good attacking positions, but it was always their pack that were going to win this game.

They picked up further points from a driving maul which powered over the crumbling MV defence for a convincing 34-7 lead with time running out.

MV did not allow their heads to drop and were rewarded with a try form openside flanker Gaz Bevan converted by Zac Crabbe to complete the scoring.

The result saw MV slip a place to fifth, and Ashton climb to second, and MV will be looking to improve their forward play to increase possession in future games.

Anyone interested in playing for MV can contact Wilf Dooley on 01942 884542.