This Saturday we travel to Grove Park in Cheadle Hulme to play Manchester.
Manchester is one of the first rugby union clubs in the world, founded in 1860, and they have a long and distinguished history. They are currently “on the up”, although, in the not too distant past, the advent of leagues and professionalism meant they faced several challenges.
Manchester have had a mixed start to this campaign. They remain unbeaten at home, accounting for local rivals, De La Salle, on the second Saturday of the season and edging out high-flying Douglas by a single point and, yet, they have lost all their away games. On the road, they were defeated in their opening game at Waterloo, 31-20, and they lost in a free scoring game at Penrith 48-26. A fortnight ago, away to newly promoted Broughton Park, they were defeated 31-10.
We last played Manchester when they won the South/Cheshire Division 1 in 2016-17. In September and December 2016 respectively, we were defeated away 20-63 and, in the return at Eastham, we went down 10-41.
Manchester survived in North One West, finishing eleventh last season, and are currently twelfth with nine points. Manchester play an attractive, open game similar to the Saints, and, while it has been tough thus far, Anselmians and their supporters feel there is sufficient quality and resolve in the team to overcome their inconsistent start and register their first win.