Match preview

This Saturday we welcome Eccles rugby club from Manchester for our second home game of the season.

Eccles are currently third in North Two West having won three out of their four games. On the first day of the season, they travelled to Southport and won a convincing victory, 29-64. They followed up this triumph with a narrow home win, 37-35, against Lancashire side, Tarleton.

A fortnight ago they lost at Winnington Park, 49-25, but returned to winning ways last weekend at home just edging Cumbrian side, Aspatria.

Before the leagues Eccles was a staple fixture for Anselmians but we have not played them for many years.

Whilst North Two West is a new invention, this will not phase Eccles, who have been in a different league for the last few seasons. They were relegated from North One West in 2016-7, second bottom in the North Lancs/Cumbria league in 2017-18 and came second to undefeated Aspull in Lancashire/Cheshire Division 2 in 2018-19.

Last week's defeat at De La Salle was a wake-up call and Anselmians will be keen to replicate the fast, open play that characterised the last half an hour against Bolton two weeks ago.