Match Preview

This Saturday we nearly finish our North One West adventure with a return to Northwich. It was Northwich who defeated us 13-21 in our first game at Rivacre Road way back in September. We had visited Moss Farm the previous week when we lost a Cheshire Cup game 12-38. In fact, we have not beaten them for five years.

Northwich are currently joint third with Birkenhead Park, having won 14, drawn 2 and lost 8 of their 24 games. They have had a good season, but ambitious coach Martin Poste will strive to improve the side next year.

Last Saturday, whilst we were losing at home to Warrington, 14-40, Northwich were ending their away games, losing at local rivals Broughton Park, 36-24.

In the 2015-16 season, Northwich were South Lancashire/Cheshire 1 champions. We lost 7-34 at Northwich and also lost the return match at Eastham, 32-42. The previous season, 2014-15, we lost at Moss Farm, 9-40, in September 2014, but won at Malone Field 46-21 the following April.

In our only encounter in North One West, back in 2011-12 season, we lost on the first day of the season away 15-38, but won the final fixture of that campaign at home, 28-5.

Anselmians are under no illusions about the task that confronts them. This has been a highly competitive league and we were tested every week. There have been precious few highlights, several disappointments and one absolute disaster. Let us hope………………