TRAFFORD MV prepared for Saturday's title showdown with Littleborough with a comfortable 51-18 victory at Thornton Cleveleys.

MV travelled to the coast intent on victory but hampered by injuries and absences.

However, they drew first blood within the opening minutes with a penalty from captain Ben Wheeler.

The home side came back through their heavy forwards with a converted try to go in front 7-3.

But MV's adventurous style of play saw Wheeler chip the home defence for full-back Gaz Bevan to chase down and score out wide to nudge them in front 8-7.

The Thornton pack had a definite size advantage and good running from their number eight set up a second home try, the wind influencing kicking with a missed conversion.

MV were not to be unsettled and good interplay between centre Jamie Kingdon and scrum-half Pat Eccles gave supporting second-rower Andrew Clegg the ball to romp home, Wheeler converting to put MV 15-13 ahead at the interval after Thornton narrowed the deficit with a late penalty.

Trafford found the strong breeze to their advantage after the break which enabled territorial kicks to give a good attacking platform.

Kingdon opened the second half with a try and Wheeler added a conversion to extend the lead to 22-13.

Another try followed on the heels of this with Eccles showing good pace and footwork to cross the white line, with Wheeler adding extras as MV secured the fourth-try bonus point.

A Wheeler penalty made it 32-13 before Kingdon added his second try following a quick tap penalty which left gaps in a dis-organised defence. Wheeler was again successful with his kick.

MV were now attacking at will and Kingdon burst through a flailing defensive line to score under the posts, Wheeler converting to make it 46-13.

Trafford relaxed a little and some good home side forward play earned a scrum just short of the MV line.

They were rewarded when a hefty drive pushed MV over their line for a deserved reward.

With time running out Trafford were still pressing and a Thornton 22-metre drop out went astray off the legs of MV winger Jon Lord who followed up to collect and run in behind the uprights for MV's seventh and final try.

It was an excellent bonus-point away win which justifies MV's position as leaders of Lancashire (North) League ahead of their promotion battle with rivals Littleborough on Saturday.