Match Preview

After a robust defence of their unbeaten home record against high flying Leigh last weekend, the 1st XV travel to Lancashire to face unbeaten, second-placed Rochdale.

There really is no respite in this division!

In their seven games, only three at home, Rochdale have invariably scored a bonus point and have never scored less than 35 points when playing away. Highlights so far are a comprehensive against Leigh 27-8 in the first game of the season and a 53-21 thrashing of Sefton.

Rochdale finished fifth in Lancashire/Cheshire 1 in 2018-19 to qualify for the newly constituted North Two West, but the previous season, they were relegated from, as we were promoted, to North One West.

They had been in North One West since 2015-16 season and before that, confusingly, they had spent two seasons in North One East.

We last played each other when we spent two years in North One West six and seven years ago. Matches went with home advantage. In 2011-2, we lost away 29-13, but won the return at Malone Field 32-11. The following season, 2012-13, we lost at Rochdale, 53-10, but edged the return 21-18.

Games between to two sides are keenly contested and it is unlikely that this latest encounter will be any different. Saints will confident after their heroics against Leigh, but Rochdale will look to history and their unbeaten record to gain the necessary confidence.

Saints will have to be at their best to secure victory.