Rugby: Douglas away to charging Bowdon

Burnley to visit Vagabonds this weekend

Report by Dave Christian:

Douglas face a toughie this weekend as they travel to Bowdon in Regional 2 North West. 

Historically, the two have met 19 times previously and the playing record is very close with Bowdon ahead 10-9 in the stats. 

This season however Bowdon have lost just once in eight outings while Douglas by contrast have won three and lost five.

There are some injury concerns at Port-e-Chee ahead of the game with Si Hodinnott, Sam McCord and Liam Kirkpatrick looking unlikely to be fit. 

Fortunately, Douglas do have some cover in the squad and Conor Garland, Blake Everson, Cal Dentith and Wilf Kermode could be looking at starting roles; utility player Carl Markl-Ferns could also be fit and Owen Carvin had a trot out with Southern Nomads last week and appeared to come through unscathed so he could play a part too.

On paper however this looks very much like a Bowdon win.

Burnley visit Vagabonds

Burnley are the visitors to Ballafletcher this Saturday as a beleaguered Vagabonds side looks for its first onfield success. 

Last week they had 20 unavailable players and shipped a big score on the road, Burnley at home however provide a fair chance of something a little more positive on the results front.

Burnley lie in seventh place in the standings with three wins from seven outings, they beat fifth place Colne & Nelson recently and they picked up a losing bonus point away at league leaders De La Salle and home to Clitheroe, who ran up the big score against Vagas last week. 

Burnley have also won their last three games on the bounce and could be on something of a roll - the two sides haven’t me in the league action either so there’s no previous form either.

Joe Louw and Mitch Wells were both missing from the Vagas front row last Saturday and Louw at least should return; Tom Gascoyne was missing from the team sheet as was influential captain Dan Bonwick and centre pairing Archie Benson and Cal Donnell. 

If some of the missing legion are back for this fixture it should give the rest of the side a boost - a fortnight ago, they were leading Bury at half time before the injury crisis hit. 

At home they have the confidence and attitude to win games but just need a rub of the green.

On paper this should be a Burnley win but hopefully a little Vagabonds spirit may just upset the applecart.

**

Fixtures - Saturday, 16 November 2024

Regional 2 North West 

Bowdon v Douglas @ Bowdon (2pm KO) 

Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire 

Vagabonds v Burnley @ Ballafletcher (2.15pm KO)