TRAFFORD MV suffered another setback in the North Lancs/Cumbria Division when they slipped to a 14-9 home defeat against Aldwinians.

The game opened with MV taking play to the visitors and getting an early reward with a well-struck penalty from Pat Eccles.

Aldwinians rallied and came back at MV with a period of sustained pressure but difficult handling conditions and stout defence kept them at bay.

To MV's credit they managed to profit from the occasions they did get in good positions to come away with points as two more penalties were accurately kicked by Eccles to give them a 9-0 half-time lead.

The second half saw both sides struggle with ball retention before MV earned another penalty shot – but this time it struck the upright.

The ball rebounded to MV who moved the ball quickly to winger Dom West and he bounced over in the corner only to see the referee disallow what looked a perfectly good score for a double movement.

This was to prove a crucial decision that gave Aldwinians heart.

A steady period of possession saw the ball moved through hands for a try on the left and a difficult conversion was successfully to make it 9-7 with six minutes to go.

It was now desperate defending from MV as they struggled with Aldwinians launching attack after attack.

And with three minutes to go, Aldwinians were tackled just short of the MV line but made it with what appeared to be a double movement.

This time the referee awarded the score to the disbelief of both sets of supporters and a successful conversion secured the win for the visitors.

Meanwhile, the seconds had more joy when they won 45-5 at Liverpool St Helens and the thirds triumphed 26-7 against local rivals Bowdon.