TRAFFORD MV rose to the summit of the ADM Lancashire Premier League with a 48-39 home win against previous leaders West Park St Helens.

West Park opened strongly and had taken the lead within minutes, opening with an unconverted try out wide.

MV responded with a good penalty from Pat Eccles but then the visitors struck again, crossing the line to go 10-3 in front. Looking like odds-on favourites to take the game with their centre partnership playing strongly, West Park extended their lead further with another two tries, one converted to take a convincing 22-3 lead.

It was now or never for MV as a response was urgently needed and it came as Eccles took a quick tap penalty which saw former colt Danny Burke crash over from close range with Eccles converting.

MV were full of spirit and it was the turn of the classy Stuart Crampton to influence the game as he sliced through a gap in the defence and outpaced the cover to bring MV right back into it with Eccles' conversion making it 22-17 at half time.

It was West Park who opened the second-half scoring as again they picked up an unconverted try which was followed quickly by an Eccles penalty to keep MV in touch.

Trafford were now contesting everything and playing well in both forwards and backs.

And it was the turn of last week's man-of-the-match, second-row Chris Ward, to shine as a sweeping MV move surged the length of the field for Ward to get the final touchdown. Eccles converted yet again to level the score for the first time in the game.

West Park became camped on MV's line and desperate defence resulted in the hosts conceding a penalty try.

But they got back into it once more, levelling the score again with a super try from pace man James Matthie with Eccles again adding the extras.

Good ball retention from MV created a good attack from left to right and it was Crampton who scored his second with Eccles again converting.

With the clock counting down West Park poured everything into their attack to try and get back on terms and as a long misplaced pass was thrown it was the flying Matthie, intercepting the ball in his own 22, who raced the length of the field with defenders falling behind in pursuit.

Eccles converted to make it 48-34 to MV.

Near the end, West Park were still pressing and they turned over scrum ball to score their seventh try of the game.

Once again, and as proved costly in this game, the conversion was missed for a final score of 48-39 to MV.

MV are in good form sitting top of the league now ahead of Heaton Moor who they face next week away from home.

Meanwhile, MV's seconds won 37-19 at Littleborough and the thirds lost 52-33 at Old Bedians.

MV are recruiting new players for all senior teams aged 18 plus.

Anyone interested in playing for MV should contact Greg on 07834 857905.