TRAFFORD MV clinched to Lancashire (North) title with a comprehensive 55-22 victory over Burnley on Saturday – securing promotion to the Lancashire/Cumbria Division.

Trafford went into their home clash knowing a point would be enough to seal promotion but they were wary of an in-form Burnley side.

The game opened in a very lively manner with Burnley launching attack after attack and MV fronting up with some solid and occasionally stretched defence.

MV needed to calm the game down and began to probe kicks deep into the Burnley corners.

This resulted in a line-out which MV caught clean through Andy Clegg, before they drove powerfully and it was high-scoring prop Paul Davenport who got the final touch as they crossed the line.

This was MV's first real attack and gave them a 7-0 advantage.

The visitors were stung into action and responded with a well-worked try wide on the right which proved too difficult to convert.

MV kept their cool and worked for positions which brought a kickable penalty that captain Ben Wheeler converted easily.

Within minutes it was Wheeler again who broke out of defence deep in his own half.

He split the oncoming defence and went on a mazy run, carving his way to the try line before converting his own try to make it 17-5.

Trafford were now on top and centre Andrew Moore burst over from close range, Wheeler again converting.

Burnley pulled one back against the run of play but scrum-half Patrick Eccles picked up from the base and avoided the back row of the visitors' defence to scamper across the line under the posts before converting his own try.

MV had their game plan and stuck to it with Wheeler adding a penalty to keep the scoreline ticking over.

Burnley clawed another score back when a clearance was charged down and followed up over the line.

With the bonus point in the bag and the job in hand accomplished, MV took their foot off the pedal and Burnley struck again to make it 34-22.

Impressive MV number eight, Danny Burke, then took a good crash ball to score and enforce MV's superiority.

Old stagers Mark Hodgson and Mike Boyle entered the fray for the final 20 minutes and it did not take Boyle long to make an impact as he stole an interception and did not have too far to run to get the touchdown.

Hooker Ross Anderson rounded off MV's championship-winning season, finishing off a good handling move to set the stall for the evening's celebrations.

Trafford MV have earned their plaudits this season, led well by captain Wheeler and player/coach Stuart Crampton.

Elsewhere, MV's under-17s won the Lancashire Bowl, beating Leigh, and the u16s can be proud of being the losing finalists against Heaton Moor – also in the Bowl competition.