Rugby: Big wins for Douglas and Vagabonds on the road

Ramsey take commanding Manx Trophy win at Ballakilley Park

Report by Dave Christian:

If there was ever a good time to pick up points away from home, this was it. Both teams were in uncertain positions with the end of season looming and both teams delivered bonus point wins. Douglas beat Broughton Park 32-19 while Vagas snatched maximum points at Port Sunlight winning 31-26.

Douglas had beaten Broughton at Port-e-Chee and travelled with a solid squad. Jack Shimmin went over in the first half and his score was converted by Luke Hyland who also added a penalty which saw Douglas leading 10-0 at half time. A Sam McCord double in the second half pushed Douglas clear with Hyland converting one. Coach Phil Cringle made his first start of the season and he claimed Douglas’ fourth to secure the bonus point with Hyland converting and adding a late penalty to maintain the gap. Douglas remain in ninth place in the Regional 2 North West standings but now have a twelve point advantage over Broughton Park.

Vagabonds’ position was a little more precarious than Douglas and they had to win today to avoid finishing bottom. They won at Port Sunlight but left it to the final play of the game when fearless wing Steve Gawne charged down a clearance kick which Cal Donnell touched down for the try. Vagas had been on pretty level footing all game. New signing Dan Bonwick went in for two tries, Joe Louw picked one up as did Aaron Ledingham whose try bagged the bonus point. Cam Findlay had kicked three conversions along the way before the Gawne-Donnell show arrived in town. Vagas remain rooted to the foot of the table despite the win but could climb higher with a win in one of their two remaining fixtures.

Ramsey Blues win at Ballakilley

The Castletown game was called off late on Friday and all available players headed for Ballakilley where Southern Nomads Greens became “Greens and guests” for their game against Ramsey’s Blues. The Blues back line was however a little too quick for Nomads though and they ran out 72-19 winners.

Josh Corteen and Brayden Roche went in early for the Blues with Dale Radcliffe converting one. Harry Goodwin then struck back for Nomads with Sean Christian converting. Radcliffe bagged Ramsey’s third and Corteen’s second was Ramsey’s fourth. Sean Christian then crossed for Nomads and converted his own try to leave Ramsey 24-14 ahead after a breathless opening twenty five minutes. Ramsey then started to ease away and tries from Jake Richmond and hat trick man Josh Corteen saw them leading 36-14 at the break. Will Keenan crossed for Ramsey early in the second half. Nomads replied with a try from Connor McCaughan at the other end before Ramsey ran away with it. Dan Richmond grabbed two, Corteen ran in his fourth and Dale Radcliffe went over twice in the closing stages to complete a hat trick of his own.

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