Last week’s victory against West Park was the best start to the New Year for the 1st XV and an ideal examination before travelling to Moss Lane to face second placed Liverpool St. Helens.

Last September, we met at Malone Field and Anselmians, fresh from a mauling of over fifty points at West Park the previous week, were given little chance against the unbeaten league leaders. What followed was barely credible as the smaller Saints pack fought for every scrape of possession and, incredibly, their backs scored eight tries in in a remarkable reversal of fortune.
In many ways, that was a turning point because, in the intervening four months, the Old Boys have only suffered one defeat at league leaders Broughton Park.

That spectacular victory was the first against LSH at Eastham for several years. Last season we lost 12-38, in 2015, we were on the wrong end of a high-scoring reverse 28-46 and in November 2014, we lost a winning lead and the game 31-33. We have fared better at Moss Lane, but will be under no illusions about this “six pointer”.

LSH are currently second, having lost only two games and drawing at home with West Park 20-20.Their other defeat, like Anselmians, was a spectacular loss at Broughton Park 14-57 in December, but they have high scoring triumphs against Bowdon (65-5) and New Brighton (60-0).

Last week they won at Manchester Medics 38-17.

We are five points behind LSH, but have two games in hand. Simple calculations will emphasise the importance of a win for both sides and Anselmian forwards must, once again, generate sufficient ball for their quicksilver three-quarters. It promises to be an intriguing contest.