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Consistency and continued improvement remain Anselmians' mantra

Consistency and continued improvement remain Anselmians' mantra

Les Woolaston26 Jan - 21:16

Anselmians Co-Director of Rugby Barrie Pilgrim Talks Team's Resurgence and Ambitions for the Top Four

Anselmians’ Co-Director of Rugby, Barrie Pilgrim, is confident that Saints are back on track after a vital 18-man effort that saw them secure a much-needed win at league leaders Rossendale (11 -25) and in so doing end an astonishing two year home unbeaten run! The victory hopefully marks a turning point for the side that had been struggling in recent weeks, and Pilgrim believes it’s a sign that the squad can achieve big things this season.
Speaking after the match, Barrie expressed pride in the players' performance, which he described as a "full credit" to the whole team. “Yesterday, every player showed what they’re capable of. It was a performance we’ve been waiting for, and I think it proves that we have the potential to compete with the best in the league,” said Pilgrim.

The win comes as part of a broader three-year plan that he believes will see the club firmly established in the league’s upper echelons and beyond. "This season is a consolidation year for us," he explained. "We’ve laid a strong foundation and, with one of the most experienced coaching teams in the league, we’ve got the right people in place to guide the players forward."

Anselmians have made significant strides in both player development (youth and 1’s/2’s squad training), fitness and tactical nous under the guidance of the coaching team, which Pilgrim described as "very experienced and very knowledgeable." The focus, he said, is not just on immediate results but on sustained growth for the future.

Looking to further bolster the team’s performance, Anselmians have recently brought in a specialist fitness coach from John Moores University, Matt Banlin, who will be introduced in readiness for Saints game next weekend against Leek. Barrie believes the addition will have a positive impact on the team’s physical condition as they push for their goal of finishing in the top four.
“We’re always looking to improve, and fitness is a huge part of that,” Pilgrim said. “The new addition to our coaching staff will bring a fresh perspective, and I’m confident he’ll help take the team to the next level. We know that fitness is key to maintaining high performance throughout the season, and this is a vital step for us.”

Anselmians have set their sights on finishing in the top four, and despite some recent setbacks, he remains confident in his team’s ability to reach that goal. “The league is incredibly competitive this year," he acknowledged. "But if we continue to work hard and stay focused, I believe we can secure a top four finish. The league is full of strong teams, but anyone is capable of beating anyone, and we’re ready to fight for it.”

As Saints enter the later stages of the season, Barries's message is clear: consistency and continued improvement are the keys to success. “We’re looking for that consistency. If we can perform at the level we showed yesterday on a regular basis, we’ll be in a strong position. We’ve set our sights on the top four, and we’re confident we can achieve it.”

With a renewed sense of purpose and a clear plan, the Anselmians’ faithful will be hoping that the win over ‘standards setting’ Rossendale is the start of a successful run into the close of the season. Despite, or perhaps because of, Saints impressive win over Rossendale the squad’s full attention now turns to next Saturday’s home tie with Leek!
#comeonannies
#comeonyousaints

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