TRAFFORD MV beat Hawcoat Park on home soil 17-7 to move up to 10th in the North Lancs/Cumbria Division on Saturday.

Despite wet and windy conditions, a good crowd was in place at MacPherson Park, including a number of Trafford's former players.

And they were treated to some good rugby from the hosts.

The visitors had the better of the early exchanges as they sought to upset form and get off the foot of the table.

However, MV defended solidly to keep them at bay.

And the home side broke the deadlock when some good forward inter-play kept pushing the visitors' defence back and Andrew Clegg got across the line after several drives had been stopped in their tracks. Stand-off Stuart Crampton converted to give MV a 7-0 lead.

The home side were getting plenty of possession, however they were not in their most dangerous form as attacking lines were somewhat predictable.

However there was enough in the armoury to create the space for Jamie Kingdon to get on the scoresheet once again. Without good control of territory there was always a danger and as half time approached Hawcoat managed to get back in the game with a well-taken try, converting it to go into the break 12-7 behind.

In the second half, playing into the wind and rain, the odds looked stacked against MV.

However with the backing of the soaked supporters the team did just enough to squeeze in for a third try, this time from centre Andrew Moore.

Neither side could muster up enough good ball to earn any more points and MV sealed victory to move up a place above Eccles.

This weekend Trafford MV make the short hop to Aldwinians, in Audenshaw, who are two places above them in the table.

* MV are keen to recruit keen local amateur rugby players. Contact Greg on 07834 857905 if you are interested in getting involved.