After losing to “the oldest open club in the world”, Liverpool St. Helens, we now play another veteran. Founded in 1860, Manchester claims that it first played against “the Gentlemen of Liverpool” in 1857 and, thus lays its claim to LSH’s honour.
Like many clubs with a long and glorious tradition, Manchester’s fortunes in the professional era were fluctuating, to say the least. One unenviable record, having not won away for six years, or seventy–nine games, was ended by a narrow victory at Bowdon two years ago and, since then, notwithstanding a brief visit to North One West, they have been a force to be reckoned with in South Lancashire/Cheshire 1.
In fact, Anselmians have not won at Manchester. In our brief spell in North One West, we lost 13-12 and the best we have managed since is a 25-25 draw in 2013-14 season. In the last two years we have lost 12-51 and 24-40.
Manchester have won their only game this term defeating Bowdon a fortnight ago 26-23, and are so unbeaten. Last Saturday’s game at Douglas was cancelled “through unforeseen circumstances” thought to be connected to confusion over flights to the Isle of Man.
Anselmians are still pointless and it will require a special performance to reverse our own unenviable record at Grove Lane.