Match Preview

This weekend we take the short journey to west Wirral to play our old friends at Melrose Avenue, Hoylake.

Anselmian supporters will remember Hoylake’s heroic struggle to avoid relegation from South Lancashire Division 1 in 2015-16. After a heavy defeat to champions Northwich in March, they did not lose again that season, but were relegated on the last day. At the time, our collapse at home to Collegiate on the last Saturday did not endear us to the ‘Lake faithful, some even suggesting malice aforethought. As it happened, Liverpool Collegiate and Winnington Park were both relegated with Hoylake, but the suspicion remained.
Hoylake returned to this division at the first time of asking, finishing second to champions Tyldesley, and doing so in some style, losing only three games last season.

This term, they have not had the best of starts, losing the first four games, but have won their last two fixtures away to Manchester Medics a fortnight ago and narrowly defeating Bowdon the previous Saturday.

Visits to Melrose Avenue are always enjoyable and there will be added piquancy, tinged with sadness, as the pre-match lunch is dedicated to the memory of Sam Lavin, an Old Anselmian, who, nevertheless epitomised all that is good about local rugby and Hoylake rugby in particular.

Let us hope the players produce a spectacle worthy of his memory.