“The Seasiders” are currently thirteenth out of fourteen in South Lancashire/Cheshire 1, but, broke a losing run going back to November last Saturday when recording their fifth victory away to Manchester Medics. Coincidentally, their fourth win was against our opponents last week, Sefton, and the score was similar to ours, 25-12, as opposed to our 27-14 victory.

Anyone who watched the New Brighton game at Eastham last October will remember what a difficult game it was. Brighton led 23-19 after an hour and left empty-handed for their efforts as a late Saints’ recovery produced nine points without reply. Their players were desperately disappointed and the New Brighton website later announced that “the better team lost.”

Anselmians, in their three games in 2018, have not yet achieved the fluency evident before Christmas, although there were signs in the second half against Sefton. Saints may be confident, but they should be cautious. Our record against New Brighton is not brilliant.
We were comprehensively beaten at Malone Field 16-45 a year last October and, last January, we lost 8-26 in the return fixture at Reeds Lane.

Before this season’s win last October, we have to go back two years to find the last Anselmian victory over the Seasiders. In 2015-16 season we prevailed 36-27, but on the return fixture we contrived to lose in the dying seconds 23-24, having led until the last five minutes.

New Brighton will be eager to avenge the autumn reverse and Anselmians will need to play close to their best if they are to prevail.