TRAFFORD MV eased their North Lancs/Cumbria Division relegation worries with a 41-30 triumph at Fleetwood. 

MV started the game well and defended Fleetwood's early attacks with relative ease – the home side using strong straight running trying to breach MV's line.

However, a cheap penalty gave Fleetwood much-needed field position and the first try of the match followed, though the conversion was missed.

MV came back strongly with Andrew Moore pouncing on some poor Fleetwood handling to run the ball 30 metres to score and the conversion by Pat Eccles was good.

MV kept the pressure on and forced a penalty that was struck between the posts, again from Eccles who was on form with the boot.

But another home try made it 10-10.

MV were now hit by a period in which it seemed they had lost confidence and missed tackles hampered their defence and Fleetwood capitalised to score a further two tries.

With half time approaching MV turned down kickable penalties and opted for a scrum following a penalty five metres from the Fleetwood line.

The ball was won by MV and moved wide with winger Jamie Kingdon managing to squeeze over wide on the left.

Trafford were well in the game, however the second half was to prove a topsy-turvy affair with both sides seemingly unable to hold a lead.

The home side scored a further two tries but MV never gave up and responded strongly themselves with tries from player/coach Stuart Crampton, second row Andrew Clegg and a late try for youngster Ethan Cornick – his first for the seniors to seal victory.

Despite being outscored by six tries to five, it was successful kicks from scrum-half Pat Eccles that proved vital to the outcome.

Trafford's challenge now is to maintain, or improve, the five-point gap between themselves and Upper Eden, who currently hold the third relegation spot.

MV's next league game is away at Hawcoat Park in Barrow in Furness when they hope to have key player Danny Burke back from injury for this one.