Match Preview

This Saturday we visit De La Salle in Salford for our first meeting with last year’s champions of the North Lancashire/Cumbria division. They pipped Aspatria to the title by a single point, meaning the latter had to play off with Anselmians for the remaining position in North One West.

Predictably, “Della” have had similar problems to ourselves in adjusting to the pace and intensity of the higher level six. Despite heavy home defeats, on the opening day of the season to Carlisle, and, three weeks later, to Birkenhead Park, De La Salle did achieve two bonus points in their defeat by Penrith 34-38 and, as a consequence, are vying with ourselves for the bottom of the table, having not won a game thus far.
The Lancaster Road outfit are a community club and, as well as rugby, they have bowling and football sections. Their recently refurbished clubhouse is testimony to their determination and ambition.

Anselmians expect a close-fought contest, but will better for the win against Waterloo last Saturday. Coach McKinney and his players will work hard to build on the improvement that saw off Waterloo.

The Saints are currently just one position above the hosts and need a win to stay in touch with the pack. With three teams demoted at the end of the season anything less than four points will make survival in this division difficult, even at this early stage.

There is much at stake this Saturday.

It promises to be an intriguing contest.