For our last game before the Christmas break, we welcome Cumbrian side, Aspatria, for their first visit to Rivacre Road. Those who witnessed our play-off game at Malone Field will not forget it, firstly for it being the last game hosted before our temporary move to Vauxhall’s, but, more importantly, our stunning response to a quick fourteen point lead for the visitors when, in just over an hour, we scored 65 points without reply to return to North One West.
For years the “Black Reds” have been invariably at the top end of the North Lancashire/Cumbria and league. Last season they came second in Cumbria Division 1A behind Keswick and, thus, find themselves in the inaugural North Two West.
They are currently 12th having won three and lost eight of their twelve games, but no-one should be fooled by their allegedly low position. Uniquely, Aspatria have lost three games at home by a single point. In the first game of this season, they were pipped by newly promoted Aspull, 30-31 and in consecutive home fixtures they lost to Southport and Winnington Park by the same score, 24-25.
Last week, Aspatria lost, again, to Manchester 7-29. In fact, two of their three victories were away from Bower Park at Tarleton and Sefton. Anselmians should be cautious, however. Those who watched the play-off will not forgot the first fifteen minutes when Aspatria swept to a fourteen point lead and with last’s week’s lack of concentration very much in the coach’s mind, Saints know they will have to battle to maintain their unbeaten home record.