The Round Five fixture took place at Leek Rugby Club, with the league, kick-off time and day not provided in the supplied match details.

Strong winds and persistent rain greeted both teams, while floodlights remained on throughout the afternoon as the heavy but playable pitch grew increasingly difficult.

Anselmians, still managing a number of injuries, began against the wind and were immediately placed under pressure after a spilled ball near their line.

Their defence held firm against Leek’s powerful forwards, although the home side opened the scoring when a penalty for offside was converted to make it 3-0.

Saints responded almost immediately after turning over possession on their own ten-metre line.

Dan Woods made about 40 metres before moving the ball through Cotgrove and Holmes to Jones, who finished in the corner.

Jones then carried the ball along the touchline before grounding it between the posts, making Baily Smith’s conversion straightforward and putting Saints 7-3 ahead.

The visitors continued to gain momentum as the first half progressed, with the forwards beginning to control the battle in midfield.

A lineout ten metres from the Leek line provided the platform for the next score, as Saints recycled possession before Kincart released Gregory.

The forward powered over the line, and Smith added the conversion to extend the advantage to 14-3.

Gregory was involved again three minutes later when he made a strong run and passed to the supporting Holmes just before being tackled on the ten-metre line.

Holmes broke through two tackles to score, although Smith was unable to convert as Saints reached half-time with a 19-3 lead.

The wind strengthened after the interval, but Saints continued to attack through counter-attacks from their backs and powerful carries from the pack.

Clearing kicks were difficult in the conditions, so the visitors shared the workload effectively and kept pressing through close-range possession.

A ruck on the Leek try line ended with Joe Sanders diving over between the posts, with Smith converting for 26-3.

Sanders crossed again three minutes later, and another successful conversion from Smith made it 33-3.

With the result appearing secure, Saints emptied their bench, introducing Friday, Mutch and Grant, followed shortly afterwards by Bowden and Gus Crowe.

Leek made changes of their own and eventually found a way through when an attempted kick was intercepted.

The attacker hacked the ball forward, gathered it and scored, with the conversion reducing the deficit to 33-10.

Saints had the final say when George Cole intercepted and outpaced the covering defender before scoring beneath the posts.

Smith converted to complete the scoring at 40-10.

The visitors’ defence and concentration remained strong throughout, despite the worsening weather.

Saints will return home next week to face Dronfield in what is believed to be the first meeting between the clubs.