Douglas RC narrowly misses out at Broughton Park

Dave Christian gives us the latest in Manx rugby

Douglas edged out at Broughton Park

The miserable weather didn't help Douglas in North One West as they were beaten 10-8 in a close game at Broughton Park. While they're secure in their eighth place in the standing, aided by a losing bonus point today, a ten point gap has now opened up to the group above Douglas and with just seven games left, this could be difficult for them to bridge.

 
Vagas downed at Broughton Park

Vagabonds Ladies lost 35-5 away at Broughton Park as they battled through a game affected by Storm Dennis. Vagas were just clinging on at half time after Corrina Daly's pushover try kept them in the hunt with Broughton 14-5 in front at the half time whistle. In the second half however Broughton accelerated away and climbed to second place in the Women's NC1 North West standings in the process. Vagas remain in a comfortable fifth place.

 
Douglas Celts claim the Manx Shield
The Celts beat a gritty Emerging Nomads team 32-7 at Port-e-Chee to clinch their third Manx Shield title in four years. Miguel Costa crossed for Douglas’ first early on, Nick Hughes quickly added a second and when skipper Conor McCaughan went in for their third after quarter of an hour the game was looking decidedly one sided. Nomads hit back though and a try from Gerard Landels after twenty three minutes plus a Mark Young conversion livened things up a little. Wilf Kermode and Bryn Snellgrove however both went in at the other end to leave Douglas 25-7 in front at half time. Nomads dug in after the break and it took Douglas almost half an hour to break through with Bryn Snellgrove finishing off for his second and Jack Rowland adding the extras.

Vagas promotion bid off to flying start
Vagabonds won 14-3 beat Oswestry away in Lancs/Cheshire 2 Premier to put them in poll position in the promotion shootout after the first of six rounds. In a game switched to Chester because of a waterlogged pitch Vagas came out on top with the front five earning another pushover try for Ross Pulman and Aaron Ledingham running in their second. Vagas face phase one table toppers at Ballafletcher next Saturday.

Results 15 February
North One West
Broughton Park 10-8  Douglas
 
Lancs/Cheshire 2 Premier
Oswestry 3-14 Vagabonds 
 
Women's NC1 North West
Broughton Park 35-5 Vagabonds
 
Manx Shield
Douglas Celts 32-7 Emerging Nomads
Western Vikings p-p Ramsey B