TRAFFORD MV have set themselves up for a grandstand finish to their league season with an emphatic 42-20 win against title rivals Littleborough.

The team now just need to pick up a point in their final league fixture against Burnley on Saturday to secure top spot in Lancashire (North) League.

MV began with good early pressure deep in the visitors' 22 which brought early rewards in the form of two well-struck penalties from Ben Wheeler.

Littleborough, who had won their home fixture against MV 26-21 just a couple of weeks back, struck back with a penalty of their own.

MV had a definite attacking edge to their game and this showed as flanker Garvey hit a good running line in support play and burst through the defence for a vital early try, Wheeler converting to make it 13-3 to Trafford.

The home side were moving the ball well and winger Jamie Kingdon stretched his legs and outpaced the Littleborough defence using his size to break flailing tackles to score, Wheeler again converting.

Littleborough were still in the game and after a sustained spell of pressure on the MV line a deserved try came their way through short pick-up and drives.

This was followed by a penalty for the visitors who were getting a feel for the game.

Good inter-play created room on the outside for a run-in under the posts with an easy conversion levelling the scores before half time at 20-20.

The second half saw MV up their level of performance.

Wheeler was on top form and when confronted by a blocked defence, he used great footwork to weave his way through for a great try under the posts which he converted himself.

He then put in an audacious pass to full-back Gaz Bevan who used his pace to run in under the sticks with Wheeler converting.

This was a great moment for MV giving them the bonus point for four tries against their main rivals.

Frustration from the visitors did overflow late in the game when a player from each side was yellow carded although the offences were not really worth it.

MV 's consistently good player/coach Stuart Crampton managed to keep a deep defensive touchline kick in play and then forged an attack kicking through astutely for Wheeler to follow up, collect and race in untouched.

He then capped a fine personal performance with a simple conversion to close the game at 42-20 for Trafford MV.

A single point against third-placed Burnley at the weekend will be enough to give MV the title.