TRAFFORD MV beat Tyldesley 31-25 to secure a place in the Lancashire Trophy final against Widnes in May.

Trafford improved on recent performances with good early possession and decent phases of play creating pressure deep in the Tyldesley half.

A scrum in the visitors' 22 saw Pat Eccles break from the base to weave through close defence for a positive early try which he converted himself.

Tyldesley responded with a try, unconverted but MV were playing well and skipper Andy Quigley, leading by example as ever, crashed over next.

With the wind making goal kicks difficult, the ball drifted wide from the conversion.

Once again the visitors struck back but the conversion attempt came back off the post.

The game sprung to life for MV as first Joe Cooper, having his best game of the season, breached the defence to score with Eccles converting and then James Matthie being fed a good ball, picked up in loose play by Stuart Crampton, who sprinted home from 60 metres.

Eccles again converted to open up a gap at 26-10.

Tyldesley came back again, through their influential stand-off Mark Dickinson.

MV had centre Andrew Moore returning to action after a long lay-off and his comeback was rewarded with a run-in from 40 metres to keep them in charge.

Trafford should have closed the game off in good style with the advantage of the wind in the second period, however the elements turned against them.

Rain came over and a heavy drizzle brought the Tyldesley pack more into the game.

The game was taken into the MV 22 for good periods and Tyldesley were rewarded with a pushover try from the pack and this was followed in similar fashion with minutes to go but Trafford held on to win.

MV have a tough game back in the ADM Lancashire League on Saturday as they travel to Liverpool St Helens who are currently riding high.