TRAFFORD Metrovicks booked their place in the final of the Lancashire Plate after coming away from Southport with a 22-12 victory.

Southport were quickly into their game and put MV under early pressure with plenty of possession leading to strong drives and some slick handling.

After 10 minutes, Southport opened the scoring with a well struck penalty that bounced in off the post.

Metrovicks repelled further attacks by the hosts as their defence was well-marshalled by Stuart Crampton and strong tackles by Jack Gallagher and Zack Crabb kept Southport out.

However, Southport's big pack rumbled over for a simple unconverted try.

At last Metrovicks began to get ball and Ben Wheeler struck a fine penalty to narrow the gap to 8-3 but from the resulting kick off, Metrovicks gave another penalty away which duly increased the Southport lead to 11-3.

MV had the final say in the half with Gallagher drew much defence with his hard running and it was from such a fine break just before half time that the supporting Aaron Fagan was put away for a certain try only to be taken down with a high tackle that led to the penalty try and the expected sin binning.

Wheeler added the extras and Trafford went in only 11 - 10 down having had limited possession.

The second half exploded into action as Metrovicks immediately took advantage of 14 men Southport, good pressure saw Crampton attempt to dance his way over for a try, get stopped and then driven over by his pack for the try and Wheeler added the extras to make it 11-17.

Indiscipline affected Southport as they soon lost two players to the sin-bin while Paul Davenport joined them.

The hosts scored a try to edge up to 16-17 but Metrovicks kept their composure and their pressure defence paid off as captain Chris Eccles raced 40m to score to make it 22-16.

The last 15 minutes saw the visitors managing the game very well with half backs Eccles and Crampton continually putting the ball behind Southport defence.

The game ended on Southport's try line as Trafford MV tried to increase their lead with a rolling maul which was held up.

It was an entertaining game, which Trafford MV won primarily because of a never say die attitude, organised and dogged defence and failing Southport discipline.

It was a fine team effort, where all the players contributed. Man of the Match was Andrew Clegg whose line-out work gave Trafford MV the platform to get into the game and subsequently score points.

The final will be played on Sunday 3rd May against either Heaton Moor or Liverpool Collegiate who have yet to play their Semi final.