Anselmians welcome Manchester this Saturday for our second return fixture of the season. After an encouraging and spirited performance at Liverpool St. Helens last Saturday, the 1st XV is growing in confidence and belief. Against second-placed LSH, and their considerable forward presence, this young Anselmian side surprised their host and themselves by competing in every aspect of the game led by veterans Steve Pilgrim and Scott Tunna.
However, they will have to be at their very best to contain a high flying Manchester outfit who inflicted only the second defeat on the League leaders, Douglas, last weekend, albeit by a single point. This was ample revenge for the 56-12 drubbing they received from the Manxmen when they went to the island in October. Manchester move up to fifth and remain unbeaten at home with only three defeats on their travels.
The visit to Grove Park for our third game of the season in September was a wakeup call for Anselmians. Having travelled to Southport for the first game, and lost, then meeting an in-form LSH side at Eastham the following week, confidence was low. Manchester had started with a win against Bowdon, but had not played Douglas because flight trouble. Ready to go from the first whistle, they destroyed our paper-thin defence in running up 63 points to which our 20 was scant consolation.
This a better organised and improving Anselmian side, but it will meet a Manchester outfit rightly believing they can take on all-comers. We know that our lowly League position does not reflect our ability.
This Saturday is a perfect opportunity to prove it.