TRAFFORD MV lost 25-17 to Keswick in their North Lancs/Cumbria Division clash last weekend.

In front of a good crowd, MV started brightly and it was young talent that gave them a solid start as first Luke Cox and then Rory Canham, MV's Cheshire Under-20s players, crossed the try line for early tries which Pat Eccles converted.

The visitors were still competitive, though, and well organised in both attack and defence.

This brought its reward as some well co-ordinated forward drives eventually broke MV's defence down to come back to 14-5.

Looking to consolidate MV earned a penalty which was again easily struck home by Eccles to give them a 17-5 half-time lead.

The Keswick XV were actually looking better in certain phases of the game with a solid scrum, a good line-out and a quite impressive work rate and it paid dividends as they narrowed MV's lead with a try soon after the restart, the conversion attempt again missed to leave it 17-10.

MV then gave away a very poor score as a long attempted touch kick fell short and was fielded by Keswick who ran the ball back – several missed tackles allowed this 60-metre attack to be finished in style.

Trafford made another basic error as they lost their own line-out ball just outside their own 22.

Keswick snapped up the ball and the forwards powered through to steal the lead for the first time in the game and earn a bonus point with their fourth try.

They also kicked their first goal attempt to make it 22-17 and with time running out for MV, Keswick slotted a penalty to round things off.

It looked as if Jon Lord had been put away in the final play of the game but desperate cover defence snaffled him up as he chose to step inside the last man.

This weekend MV play the last away game of the season with a long trip to Wigton.

Meanwhile, Trafford MV are taking part in the ECB's national initiative to get kids involved in cricket through its All Stars programme.

They begin their sessions on Tuesday, May 15, at 6pm and they will run for eight weeks initially.

Parents are encouraged to get signed up early so their children will receive their kit and bag of equipment before the courses begin.

Details can be provided by visiting https://ecb.clubspark.uk/AllStars/Course/

Over 20 young players enjoyed their first taste of cricket with Trafford MV last Summer and the club will be looking for similar numbers this year.

Boys and girls are welcome to play and mums and dads are actively encouraged to join in the fun.