Match Preview

This Saturday sees the first 2.15 kick-off of the winter and Anselmians travel to Manchester for a defining match against league leaders Broughton Park.

Park are one of the oldest clubs in the world, being founded in 1882, and for the last ten years they have alternated between North One West and South Lancashire/Cheshire 1.

Both sides have had excellent starts to the season, each winning seven games and losing only one and they currently occupy the top two positions.

Relegated to our league in 2016, Broughton Park finished third last year, ten points behind Douglas and managed to defeat the Saints comprehensively home and away. We lost 27-37 away and were thrashed at Malone Field 59-12.

In fact, we have to go to our time in North One West to note the last time the Saints won this fixture. In November 2011, we triumphed 25-17 at Eastham and Broughton Park would later be relegated that season. We were to follow in 2012-13 and we swapped divisions as they were promoted after one season in South Lancashire/Cheshire 1. They spent three seasons in the higher division before rejoining us in 2016.

Park have scored a lot of points this season and are undefeated since the first game when they, surprisingly, lost at Sefton 22-24. Anselmians will be confident given their excellent start to the season. They are playing as well as anyone can remember, but, on Saturday, they will face their sternest test so far.