TRAFFORD MV's seven-game winning run ended at second-placed Keswick with a 15-10 defeat in the North Lancs/Cumbria division.

With just a 15-man squad, MV exerted early pressure but slippy conditions saw several handling errors.

MV had a slight edge in the line-outs but Keswick were looking the more dangerous as the first half played out. 

The sides exchanged penalty efforts, both proving unsuccessful, and it seemed the half would end scoreless.

Presssure told on MV and a conceded penalty eventually saw Keswick move the ball across their back line to the right wing for Weir to round his man and score out wide on 35 minutes.

MV fought back hard but as half time approached a driving maul brought breaking ball again on the right for the same wing man, Weir, to cross again.

The missed conversion left the score at half time at 10-0 to the hosts.

MV opened the second half brightly in the loose and with an improved scrum, however penalties were causing ball to be lost and possession conceded easily.

Then, a good line-out saw quick ball fed to in-form centre Matt Coxon who sliced through the home defence on a good running line to score under the posts from 20 metres, Pat Eccles converting to make it 10-7.

However, the hosts hit back when a hacked-on ball was surrounded by five Keswick players with Robinson eventually collecting to score an easy try.

MV managed to force a late penalty which Eccles kicked but Keswick were not to be outdone on the day.

The result saw Keswick go to the top of the league with MV slipping a place to seventh.

On Saturday, MV welcome fifth-placed Wigton to MacPherson Park, kick off 2.15pm.