A YOUNG Trafford MV side ran North Lancs/Cumbria league leaders De La Salle close but fell to an 18-15 defeat last weekend.

MV were up for the task and halted early pressure before creating space on the left for winger Jamie Kingdon to cross the line.

The early lead was just reward for MV's solid start and they had the leaders looking distinctly ordinary and desperate defence led to another mistake which gave Pat Eccles a shot at goal from a penalty which he took to make it 8-0.

De La Salle were not out of the game by any means and upped their efforts with some good driving runs.

It paid off when centres Evans and McCormick both cut back against the flow of play to put winger Foexen over on the right wing to narrow the gap.

As De La Salle pressed, MV kicked long out of defence and the visiting full-back fluffed a forced pass which was intercepted by hooker Ross Anderson and he chased under the posts to score a good try, converted by Pat Eccles.

As half time approached De La Salle's Petrou kicked a penalty to leave MV with a 15-8 half-time lead.

The second half brought more of the old De La Salle style of play as they upped the intensity.

Both sides suffered a yellow card for minor offences and MV were being made to work hard to contain the threat.

The visiting team were rewarded with another penalty infringement which brought a further three points from Petrou.

Constant pressure broke MV down and De La Salle number eight Brooks powered over with Petrou converting to put his side ahead for the first time and they defended the lead to clinch the points.

MV travel to Littleborough this weekend to face their rivals from last season who were also promoted as runners-up.

* Sale-based Trafford MV are looking for players to Return To Rugby following the RFU initiative to get former, lapsed players back in the game. If you have played at school, university or another club and fancy getting back into the game, call Wilf Dooley on 01942 884542.