Anselmians have a welcome break from their League commitments this weekend with the visit of Cumbrian side, Aspatria, in the National Intermediate Cup for Level 7 clubs.

The RFU Intermediate Cup, the RFU Senior Vase and the RFU Junior Vase are run as County Competitions in the first instance. The County Champions at each level move into Divisional Competitions. The divisional rounds of the competition are played later in the season once the Constituent Bodies have nominated their clubs. The Divisional Champions move onto the National Competitions which encompass the National Semi-Finals and the Finals which are played at Twickenham in May each season.

Anselmians, Bolton and Aspatria, have been nominated by our “Constituent Body” and the first game was played on 15th October between Aspatria and Bolton with Aspatria winning 52-10. We are due to visit Bolton February 4th 2017.
Rugby union has a long history in Aspatria, with Aspatria RUFC being formed in 1875. They have a long and distinguished heritage and can boast a 1924 British Lion. They play in the North Lancashire/Cumbria League where they are currently lying third. Incidentally, our New Year opponents, Bolton, are second.
Bower Park, their home ground, is set in the shadow of Skiddaw, the sixth-highest mountain in England and the fourth highest in the Lake District. “The Black Reds” 1st team pitch is reckoned to be the best in the county, largely due to the work of their dedicated volunteer ground staff, similar to our own “Last of The Summer Wine” boys.