TRAFFORD MV went down 44-24 at Fleetwood on the second weekend of the new ADM Premiership season.

The day started badly when traffic congestion meant a delayed kick off but it was even in the early exchanges once play got under way.

Trafford’s forwards asserted some early dominance – Danny Burke and Lewis Kingdon gaining good territory with powerful carries through the centre of the home defence.

However, poor Trafford defence around the fringes of the ruck allowed Fleetwood over for the first try.

Trafford immediately responded with a prolonged period of territory, and registered their first points through the boot of Dom West to make it 7-3.

As Trafford threatened the Fleetwood try line, a vital turnover allowed a swift counter attack and a try for the hosts and it was quickly followed by another as the score advanced to 24-3.

Trafford heads did not drop and their forwards began to regain the ascendancy through powerful running, led by Andrew Quigley.

And a period of possession led to a close-range finish from captain Chris Ward.

The second half was a much closer affair and early Trafford pressure meant that the home side began to lose some of their discipline and a yellow card was the result.

Trafford capitalised as a sustained attack was finished by Lewis Kingdon but a penalty for the hosts stemmed the flow of away points before Kingdon powered over for his second try.

The game was again in the balance as Fleetwood lead by only six points with 15 minutes to play and Trafford looked to complete what had seemed an unlikely come back.

A series of forward carries allowed good territory but a loose pass was excellently intercepted by the outstanding Fleetwood fly-half and he raced 50 metres, outstripping the Trafford cover tackles and scoring to take the result beyond doubt.

It was a big blow to Trafford and Fleetwood touched down once more to close out the game.

MV are at home to Aldwinians this Saturday, when the club holds an open day, and can look forward to the return of the half-back partnership of Stuart Crampton and captain Pat Eccles.