For the first home game of 2019 this Saturday, we welcome Stockport in an attempt to avenge our defeat at The Memorial Ground in Headlands Road last September. Then, in a classic game of two halves, we conceded heavily in the first half, but staged a spectacular recovery and almost snatched victory, finally losing 27-36. It was our best performance to date.

Stockport enter the New Year comfortably third, having won nine of their sixteen games. However, they have lost their last two games. Just before Christmas, they were edged out in Douglas 7-8 and, last week, they narrowly lost their unbeaten home record against Broughton Park, 23-25.

Last week, at Blackburn, Saints’ coaches and supporters were encouraged by a positive performance and Anselmians will be determined to eliminate the handling errors which have prevented us converting possession into tries. To perform well against the second-placed side in the division was a good start to the New Year.

Stockport are a free-scoring side and have scored fifty points twice this year, against Penrith and Northwich, but they can be vulnerable, as evidenced by their surprising 7-52 reverse at Carlisle last November.

This is Stockport’s first visit to Vauxhall’s and coaches and supporters will want to see that attacking flair and endeavour which characterised our second half revival last September in Bramhall.