CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME Welcome to Eccles Rugby Football Club. I would like to offer a warm welcome to Anselmians Rugby Union Football Club. Before the leagues were introduced, Anselmians were a regular fixture for Eccles, but we had not played them for many years until we visited their temporary ground at Rivacre Road last October. Supporters will recall an entertaining game that Anselmians won 29-12. But the game was closer than the score suggests, Eccles started well, but dropped off in the middle of the first half, with Anselmians taking full advantage. Eccles came back late on in the second half, with Anselmians receiving a red card, but it was all too little too late, with Anselmians taking a late try with Eccles throwing caution to the wind in search of valuable points. Their last match they were surprisingly beaten for a second time by De La Salle 18-20, a similar margin to our home defeat to De La Salle 15-17, a match we could and should have won. Eccles must see this as a game to be taken and get back to that early run of form, finishing the league how we started. We believe in Rugby for all and we take pride in our Home-Grown principles. Our Junior programme regularly produces talented young players and last year we were delighted to see eight Eccles lads wear the red rose of Lancashire. Boys are not the whole story either, as our Men’s and Ladies sections share the same belief and commitment to player propagation. We achieve everything we do in, and for, our community, through the efforts of dedicated volunteers and the generous support of sponsors who share our ambition and passion. Thank you to all our referees, who like players, work during the week and then step out onto the field to officiate. They do their jobs under pressure and I would encourage rugby spectators and staff to understand and be more appreciative of their role in rugby. Without them we would not have the games today. Cheers, Thorpey
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