For our first home game of the 2019-20 campaign, we entertain Bolton.
Last season, Bolton finished fourth in South Lancashire/Cheshire 1, but in the restructuring of the leagues, found themselves in the new North Two West, along with the lowest three teams in North West One and the top two of South Lancashire/Cheshire 2.
They visited Winnington Park on the opening day of the season and lost 46-19. However, last Saturday, at home to Aspatria, they won handsomely 50-24.
Anselmians were drawn to play Bolton in the 2016-17 RFU National Cup competition. In a group of three, including Aspatria, Bolton and ourselves both lost in the autumn to the Cumbrians and, quite rightly, realised the redundant nature of their fixture in February 2017. Aspatria qualified and and Anselmians and Bolton never played.
We did play at Bolton about ten years ago in another cup competition and lost at Mortfield Pavilion, but we have never met in a league game because Bolton spent many years in the North Lancashire/Cumbria League.
After an encouraging start at Manchester which produced a bonus point, Anselmians won 22-28 at a resurgent Aspull last Saturday and will be confident and must win if they are to be credible contenders in North Two West.