IN much improved conditions MV met a Garstang side who had only lost by a single point in the home fixture earlier in the season.

The visitors started at a high tempo which in no way belied their ninth position in the division.

A young athletic side took the game to MV and certainly had the better of the first half.

MV however took a 3-0 lead when scrum half Pat Eccles kicked a penalty on a rare incursion into the Garstang territory.

The visitors were not swayed and their pack pressurised the MV defence and forced over for a try to the left of the posts on the stroke of half time to take a 3-5 lead into the break.

The game changed after the break with a slight breeze favouring MV and a better work rate from the pack.

MV's backs have talent in depth and space allowed moves to be worked and territory gained.

MV forwards drove deep into the Garstang '22' and Eccles sniped around the fringe of a maul to cross behind the stick, converting his own score easily to go 10-5 in front.

MV were now looking easily the better side but Garstangs spirit and talent was never in doubt.

Eccles stretched MV's lead with another penalty 13-5. The nail in the Garstang coffin came when they were pressing on MV's line, with a score looking possible, however MV managed a turnover and kicked deep out of defence. The breeze carried the ball which was hacked on for Eccles to follow up and score a killer blow. His conversion gave MV a deserved 20-5 home win and match sponsors GBS Groundworks were pleased to be associated with MV's performance.

This was a proud day for Pat Eccles who has played at the cClub since being a young child and now captains the 1st XV, to score all the points on the day.

This win pushed MV up into second position in North Lancs Div One ahead of Heaton Moor who lost at Oldham. MV now face unbeaten league leaders De La Salle (Salford) on Saturday in what will surely be a fierce contest as the leaders seek to maintain their record.

MV will be looking to consolidate their play-off position. Kick off at the De La Salle ground, Lancaster Road is at 3pm.