1st XV "Saints"
Matches
Sat 03 Aug 2019
Anselmians RUFC
1st XV "Saints"
14:30
Llandudno
Pilgrim Shows His Class

Pilgrim Shows His Class

Saints Newsroom4 Aug 2019 - 10:32
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Chris Pilgrim is the star performer in warm-up vs. Llandudno

The level 3 team from North Wales. Llandudno, were the league winners in Welsh National League (North) last season. The only North Wales team higher ranked is RGC in the Championship. So, it was always going to be a tough contest for The Saints who fell from level 6 last season to level 7 for the new season's campaign.

But, for the first period, Anselmians challenged extremely well and matched the visitors with both teams fielding their strongest line-ups. Saints were missing some key players, particularly new player-coach, No 10 Liam McGovern, who preferred to assess his new squad from the touchline. Also absent were Saints' stars, Andy Cummings and Scott Southwell. No doubt Llandudno had a few missing, too.

After two years out of the game, former premiership scrum-half, Chris Pilgrim, was the stand-out player on the field. His speed to the ball and length of pass will serve Saints well for the expansive style espoused by new coach McGovern. The No. 9's vision and kicking from the base was impressive. Indeed, it was his pressure-relieving punt into the opponents' box which led to Saints' try by Adam Bramhall, who was also impressive after almost a season out of action with a broken arm.

Another new signing this season, James Otutaha, playing at 13, showed his strength breaking the line and distributing slickly. One wonders why he wasn't playing at 12, where he might have caused more challenges for the opposition, with the pacier and Liam Sadler outside him, rather than the other way round!

There were good performances, too, from Will Grabe and Niall Cavanagh. These, and all those mentioned above, would not be out of place at Llandudno's level.

To be fair, though, Llandudno were the more competent outfit and comfortably out-scored Saints, by 6 tries to 2. The difference was in the speed of their Nos. 6 & 7 over the ball at the breakdowns, winning turn-overs all too easily. And, despite having a fair share of the ball, promising Anselmians' attacks broke down with balls spilled in contact or passes missing targets. We just need to tighten up in these areas and we will have a team which will be very competitive in the N2W league this season.

All-in-all, a much brighter start than recent seasons. With planned live sessions against Shotton, Ellesmere Port and Wirral and a second
warm-up game away against New Brighton on 17 August, we should be well-prepared for the Cheshire Cup game vs Wilmslow, 31 August.

Match details

Match date

Sat 03 Aug 2019

Kickoff

14:30
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