TRAFFORD MV regained top spot in the Lancashire (North) table with a 24-7 home win against Thornton Cleveleys.

MV started well and despite a big opposing pack they struck first after 10 minutes when good passing and driving led to a Sean Garvey offload which put Andrew Clegg through the gap to drive in from close range.

Scrum half Patrick Eccles then skipped his way through the back row defence to score to the left of the posts.

Once again the wind favoured Thornton and pushed the conversion past the upright.

In the second half, MV made changes with the influential Jack Gallagher returning to the side in the centre.

A good run of attacks had the defence floundering when Eccles floated a pass which carried amazingly in the wind hanging in front of the oncoming Jamie Kingdon who crashed over for his 13th try of the season and Eccles converted.

Trafford were then hit against the run of play when a loose pass was intercepted and Thornton beat a flat footed defence to score under the stick, converting easily to draw back to 17-7.

MV still had the bonus point in their sights and it was only with time running out that one of those rare occurrencies of a hooker, Ross Anderson, appearing outside of the winger to take the final pass and cross in the corner.

The wind now came to MV's assistance as Eccles put his boot through the ball and the wind helped carry the ball between the posts for a deserved 24-7 victory

Last weekend's trip to Littleborough fell foul of the weather and MV are due to be on their travels again on Saturday at North Manchester.