Trafford MV Sports Club entered a new era last weekend as they put a women's XV into a competitive game for the first time in 97 years.

Fitting in with International Women's Day, the team welcomed Oldham Ladies to MacPherson Park and showed their merit right from the start.

Having been launched only six weeks ago MV have had good training numbers but had no idea how they would gel on the pitch. Those fears were soon cast aside as playing patterns soon emerged and a good strong forward display brought plentiful possession for the backs to play.

MV opened the scoring with a determined solo effort from Anna Maseko which Maddie Woodworth converted.

Oldham replied quickly as the ball was moved wide for the talented full back to take the ball at pace and outflank MV's defence, a conversion levelling the scores.

Both teams were looking good and Amelia Kelly struck for MV with Rachel Massey narrowly missing the conversion to make it 12-7.

Success came MV's way again as Olivia Thompson rounded off some good interplay with the conversion again being missed, this time by Katie Wood.

MV's director of women's rugby Lizzi Cafferkey was next on the scoresheet but Oldham were never out of the game and struck back with a converted try to make it 22-14.

It was early in the second half that MV broke their shackles as playmaker Woodworth struck with two unconverted tries to open up a 32-14 gap.

Oldham replied with a couple of converted tries of their own to make it 32-24.

In the latter stages of the game it came down to impressive Massey to make the difference as her pace and evasive running brought her two touchdowns, one of which she converted herself off the crossbar, to complete a 44-24 victory.

The ladies have another game at Moore Ladies this Sunday.

Trafford MV first XV put in a good effort against Oldham 1st XV but went down 26-33.

The second XV won 39-28 away at Fleetwood and the thirds won at home against Oldham 58-0.