TRAFFORD MV suffered a first-round exit in the Lancashire Trophy when they went down 20-7 at Southport.

MV were in for a shock when, with the first real attacking opportunity, Southport drove the ball up the middle of the park and attacked down the left flank to score out wide with only a minute gone – a good conversion giving them a 7-0 lead.

Trafford were under pressure in the scrum and struggling to contain the home side.

Attacks were coming frequently and as the MV defence became overstretched once more, the hosts scored to the right of the uprights with a simple conversion to follow.

MV were slowly finding their feet in the game and came close to scoring when winger James Matthie had a good run down the right but good covering defence forced him to cut inside and the move broke down.

Southport realised scoring options were becoming rarer and took the opportunities to kick a couple of penalties to extend their lead to 20-0 at the interval.

MV took their improved play into the second half and with Danny Burke showing grit and determination up front and Gaz Bevan making good inroads from full-back, they were promising signs.

And they got on the scoresheet midway through the half when the pace of Matthie saw him get on the end of a sweet passing move and outflank the Southport defence to sweep in for a superb try that new skipper. Pat Eccles converted.

But they could not add to their tally and Southport held on to progress.

Trafford now look ahead to their opening game in the ADM Lancashire Premier League which is at Heaton Moor on September 14.

Trafford MV is always open to new players joining and offers coaching for youngsters from the age of three all the way through to walking rugby for the over-50s.

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