Match Preview

The two most recent visits to Altrincham have been against a team destined for relegation, although in both seasons they gave Kendal a fright, although two years ago it was more in the first game abandoned when an injury saw a player being taken to hospital by Air Ambulance. The re-arranged game was the Garry Holmes show with his four tries in a first half Kendal led 0v41, before losing the second half 17v7.

This season Kersal have been a much more successful, and currently sit safely in mid-table. They are the only team to have defeated Kirkby Lonsdale, and have only lost at home three times, against third and fourth placed Wilmslow and Penrith, but more unexpectedly against Leigh. Five of their wins there have been with a bonus point.

They have been let down by their away form, with just two wins and two draws, all against the teams at the wrong end of the table (Widnes / Leigh and Carlisle / Blackburn), and have come away from seven away games without a league point.

So another difficult challenge to negotiate. If you have nothing else planned for Saturday, why not give the family a day out in Manchester, and come along to give the team some much needed vocal support.

TEAM : The squad is almost the same as the one for the last game against Eccles, with Chris Downham returning in place of Dom Mussetti, but there are a number of positional changes. Damian Armstrong comes off the bench into the centre, Zane Butler moves back to the wing, with Nathan Wooff back at fullback, and Chris Park onto the bench. James Thompson moves to seven to make way for Chris Downham, with Liam Hayton returning to the second row and Ben Leacock to the bench. Duncan Green starts with Glenn Chesher starting on the bench.

WEATHER : Earlier in the week the forecast was for rain, but it now looks more promising, with it drying up in time for kick off - but I’ll still be bringing an umbrella.