Douglas survives Keswick scare in rugby

Dave Christian reports on today's Manx rugby matches (18/01)

Douglas edge out Keswick

An under strength Douglas survived a scare from bottom side Keswick but in the end claimed a 24-22 bonus point win at Port-e-Chee. Ryan Weir and Lewis Bell both crossed for the visitors with Bell converting one to put them 12-0 up in the early stages of the game. Douglas pulled one back on the stroke of half time when Will Cain went over and then converted his own try to leave Douglas trailing 12-7 at the break. In the second half Simon Hoddinott celebrated his return from injury with a try, Lance Wyllie added Douglas’ third and Guy Wood’s score gave them the try bonus point with Will Cain adding a conversion. Harry Vaillant's try made sure that Keswick picked up two bonus points for their efforts.

Ramsey lose at Garstang

There was no joy for Ramsey on the road when they went down 52-0 away at Garstang. There was a hint of optimism ahead of the game after a 19-19 draw at the Mooragh earlier in the season however a string of injuries and un-availabilities meant Ramsey travelled with a less than full strength squad but they dug in for the first half  and trailed  just 12-0 at the break. Lawson Whittaker ran in a second half hat trick for Garstang though as they raced clear for a big win.

Vagabonds take bonus point on the road

Vagas avoided a potential banana skin at Parkonians when they won 35-17 in a game shifted to Caldy due to a waterlogged pitch. Rob Keelan crossed twice for Vagas and there were also tries from James Clarke, Jordan Luyt, Dylan Chambers and Jon Reilly, with Ryan de la Harpe adding a penalty and a conversion. Vagas remain in second place in the Lancs/Cheshire 2 standings.

Nomads truck by The Sherwinator

Douglas Celts beat Southern Nomads 52-14 at Port-e-Chee with hooker Dave Sherwin’s brace of tries providing the highlight. Douglas led 38-0 after a blistering first half with tries from Sherwin, Rob Todd, Josh Carine Mike Osborn, Danny Creer and Karl Evans with Bryn Snellgrove converting four. Nomads rallied in the second half and Adam Young’s try converted by Furo Davies got them on the board. Django Kinley's pace got their second which Davies also converted but Sherwin’s second and a late score from Charlie Henthorne, both converted by Jack Rowlands, made the game safe for Douglas.

At the Mooragh Park Ramsey B picked up their first win of the season with a 48-19 defeat of Castletown. Dave Keenan went in twice for Ramsey with other tries coming from Jamie Arneil, Alex McMillan, Ben Pickett, Mikey Craine and Connor Cracknell. Ben Harding kicked one conversion and Dave Keenan kicked three. For Castletown who trailed just 17-12 at the break, Callum Coulthard, Tom Bielich and Morgan Armstrong-Paton all picked up tries with Aaron Kiernan converting two.

Results 18 January

North 1 West

Douglas 24-22 Keswick

Lancs/Cheshire 1

Garstang 52-0 Ramsey

Lancs/Cheshire 2

Oxton Parkonians 17-25 Vagabonds

Manx Shield

Douglas Celts 52-14 PDMS Southern Nomads

Ramsey B 48-19 Castletown