THE sun shone on Trafford MV's MacPherson Park on Saturday but unfortunately it did not shine brightly enough on the players.

Poor organisation, due directly to poor attendance at pre season squad sessions, played a big part in Trafford MV's first League defeat of the season.

Toc H were better drilled particularly in the back division and looked more intent on winning the game than taking part.

Having said that Trafford were first out of the blocks with winger Ben Belcher, with the benefit of the wind, outpacing his opposite number to get the touchdown.

Full back Mike Worrall was soon to learn that he hadn't brought his kicking boots as the conversion attempt sailed feebly wide of the sticks.

Toc were spurred into action and despite MV working hard and competing well in the pack the little ball that Toc did win was being well used.

Munce pounced twice for Toc H and with Massingham converting both tries Toc went into a 5-14 lead.

Both sides struggled to come to terms with the new law changes in the game and the resulting infringements made the game a very stop start affair.

Trafford however were not downbeat and up and coming prop Andrew Pearson capped a good game with a sound forward's try from close range.

The conversion was not forthcoming.

Toc's back line again took the game by the scruff of the neck and launched a couple of searing attacks which brought tries for Wildgoose and Armstrong - both converted to put Toc into a 10-28 lead.

As the minutes ticked away all looked to be doom and gloom until PC Nigel Levitt introduced the long arm of the law.

The centre struck twice in the dying minutes of the game after excellent forward possession was recycled for the backs to play a tighter and more effective game.

This brace of tries brought the score to 22-28 with Worral only managing to convert one of them.

Trafford had few good points to pick out of the game but one of these was the tactical kicking display of No. 10 Andy Hope who continually turned the Toc H defence around.

Over the course of the next ten days, Trafford MV entertain De La Salle in a double header.

This first game is round one of the NP1 Cup and is followed the next weekend by the first league meeting between Trafford and De La Salle.

Trafford are looking for a big crowd to give their team some backing in these fixtures and are looking to have a bit of a reunion this Saturday with the call going out to all ex players in the Sale, Altrincham, Stretford and Urmston areas to get down and renew old aquaintancies - the more the merrier will be welcome for these classic League and Cup clashes against the powerful De La Salle outfit. Kick offs are at 3pm.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.