Anselmians travelled down the road to Prenton this past Saturday, hoping to maintain an unbeaten start to the season to a 12th game. Prenton, fielding their strong University team, where hoping to cause an upset and bounce back from two defeats on the bounce.

Asnelmians turned up with a young yet strong team and were hoping to put on displays like they had the previous few weeks. A full team effort would be needed with strong defensive work and some creative backs play needed. The Ducks were confident in the set-piece and were hoping this could provide the platform to victory for them.

The start of the game showed the strong defensive work that The Ducks were proud of so far this season with wave after wave being repelled. However, after a questionable decision by the referee awarding a penalty to Prenton they took a quick tap and went over out wide with Anselmians caught napping. 5-0 and game on for the Saints. Then some attacking intent from Asnelmians only lacking in support at the breakdown where Prenton were allowed to slow ball down time and time again, though on occasion in a very questionable manner. Then a few decent line-outs and eventually a penalty for The Ducks 5 metres out. A quick tap by Dan Meredith and a try in the corner, a well struck conversion by Matt Brookes and 5-7 to the Ducks. Prenton came straight back at Anselmians however the defence was resistant again and after a few good moves Tom Price continued his exceptional form by beating several defenders and finishing under the posts, 5-14 to The Ducks at half-time and maybe time to think about that victory.

The halftime chat for both teams seemed to spur both teams on, Prenton defensively and Anselmians in an attacking manner, however for all the territory that The Ducks could muster, they could not push that last five yards towards the Prenton line. Maybe, the previous victories against weaker defences where players can push on individually contributed to the lack of support at breakdowns and in support of breaks that could have resulted with Anselmians coming away with a victory. Prenton however pushed on and converted a penalty then managed to get a crash ball try with 4 minutes remaining which were to be the final scores of the game. 14-18 loss for The Ducks and lessons taught and learnt. The Ducks came away from the match with the knowledge that for long periods they were the better team. The lineout and scrum once again functioned well and can be a source of positivity for the team going into the last couple of weeks before a well-deserved Christmas break.