TRAFFORD MV let conditions and hosts Oldham get the better of them in a 29-15 defeat in the North Lancs/Cumbria Division last Saturday.

On a heavy pitch not conducive to MV's fast-paced style of rugby the home side were the first to get on the scoresheet when a long kick was misfielded in the difficult conditions and the follow up brought the opening try.

Trafford MV hit back and forced a penalty which was narrowly missed by Pat Eccles but he made amends with a successful penalty soon after.

MV were pretty solid in defence, stopping the big Oldham runners in their tracks, and it became clear kicks over the defence was the best game-plan.

This proved successful when a long kick and chase held up before running dead for Oldham's chasing player to get the touchdown.

MV then had to endure a long spell of pressure deep in their own half which eventually brought try number three for Oldham, converted to make it 17-3.

It looked as if the game was going to run away from MV when a rushed pass was intercepted and Oldham raced away for another try.

As half time approached it was MV stand-off Eccles who found a way through the home defence from close range to touch down, converting his own try.

After the interval, MV rallied to get back into contention when some good passages of play were put together which led to winger Dominic West squeezing over out wide to make it 22-15.

But late in the game Oldham again used the kick to get behind MV's defence and it led to a scrappy converted try which secured the win and a bonus point for the hosts.

The firsts host Littleborough this weekend but the local game of the day will be the derby clash between Trafford MV thirds and Ashton-on-Mersey firsts.