Trafford MV 3 West Park 19
LANCASHIRE Trophy holders West Park were made to struggle in this previously-postponed second round tie by a Trafford side determined to disrupt any continuous pattern of play by their more senior visitors.
The decision to rest several first team regulars seemed to make little difference as, facing wind and slope, Park led early on with a Martin Strett try converted by Phil Lawrenson who also added a second try and conversion to give them a 14-0 lead which was reduced by a Trafford penalty goal before half-time.
Turning round with wind and slope advantage, Park could be reasonably expected to repeat their 50-point win achieved over the same opposition in the NPI Cup last season.
Trafford, however, plainly had other ideas and harassed Park into frequent errors. The line-outs in particular were not the usual supply of possession and it took the introduction of skipper Sean Fletcher and later Chris O'Toole to get the game back on track with Lawrenson's second try.
Five further scoring chances went astray but at least the defence was sound and entry achieved into the Lancs Cup first round proper with an away tie at Aldwinians who are Park's next league opponents at Red Rocks on Saturday. Kick-off is 2.30pm and match sponsors are Jackson Lloyd with the match ball sponsored by Award Carpets.
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