Whilst Anselmians were having a well-earned rest last Saturday, this weekend’s opponents, Bowdon, were dispatching De La Salle 41-31 in the Intermediate Cup and clocking up their eighth win in eleven games this season.

Bowdon are enjoying a successful term and are currently fifth, having lost only three games thus far. Their last reverse, losing 36-5 at Broughton Park, was, perhaps, to be predicted but their two other losses would have surprised their supporters. Liverpool St. Helens won 29-12 at Clay Lane on the second Saturday, and their other defeat, at Hoylake 25-23, was a surprise.

Since returning to South Lancashire/Cheshire 1 with Manchester Medics in 2014, Bowdon have slowly asserted themselves at the higher level. In 2014-5, they finished 11th and the following season, 10th. Last season, they emerged as one of the better sides and eventually finished a creditable 5th.

This improvement is reflected in their results against Anselmians. In their first season back, we won both games; a 39-26 win at Malone Field was followed up by a close victory, 20-25, at Bowdon. In 2015-16, we lost at home 20-27, but edged a thrilling match away, 14-15.
Last season, we just did enough at Eastham, prevailing 22-19, but were soundly thrashed 25-69 on our last visit to the Cheshire club.

Both sides play an expansive game and there are always try-scoring opportunities when both sides prefer to attack. Anselmians’ performance against Leigh was, at times, exhilarating, but they will travel knowing that nothing less than their best will be good enough this weekend.