Rugby: Douglas seeking first away win at Winnington Park

Vagabonds back at Ballafletcher to face Dukinfield

Report by Dave Christian:

Douglas travel to Winnington Park on Saturday in Regional 2 North West (Storm Darragh permitting of course) and are searching for their first away success of the season. 

Statistically Park have the leakiest defence in the league and were slammed 89-15 away at Sandbach last week - they sit below Douglas in the standings and all this adds up to a great chance for the Manx side.

As always with away games, player availability is the issue - Douglas will be missing Owen Carvin, Bryn Snellgrove, Josh Duncan and Liam Kirkpatrick for this game. 

The big loss here is Snellgrove who was in excellent shape last week; Nathan Robson can switch to ten if need be and James Ross is also a possible candidate if available.

If Douglas can recapture their form from last Saturday, the could well return home with some points.

Vagabonds look for Christmas bonus against Dukinfield

Dukinfield are the visitors to Ballafletcher this weekend after a couple of weeks of turmoil in Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire. 

First of all Old Bedians pulled out of the league altogether, the organising committee then also deleted Blackpool from the fixture list too after the pulled out before the start of the season. 

This tidy-up exercise left winless Vagabonds in bottom spot until last weekend - Orrell failed to fulfill their fixture at Bury and picked up a five-point deduction which means that Vagas are not quite bottom and with Dukinfield just above them in the standings, this is a great opportunity for them to close the gap.

The early part of the season has definitely not gone 'Vagas'' way - statistically they have the leakiest defence and the bluntest attack, however they’ve had a couple of weeks off so Dan Bonwick should have overcome his head knock and a couple of their other injuries could well be clear now too. 

Dukinfield however should be fit too, their last game was on 9 November so they should be well rested but we are now moving into the Christmas party season and they may not be at full strength.

The weekend forecast is looking a bit damp and this sounds ideal for a strong Vagas pack which has dominated most this season despite the results. 

Joe Louw, Matt Rockwell and Mitch Wells are strong in the set piece and will be vital on a wet day; Another useful signing for Vagas may help too, the experienced Dave Keenan made over 70 first team appearances for Ramsey before his move South and his ability to play in forwards or backs will be an extra string to the Vagabonds bow.

This game is their chance to get some momentum building for 2025 and with a big home crowd they’re more than capable of doing it.

**

Fixtures Saturday, 7 December 2024

Regional 2 North West

Winnington Park v Douglas @ Winnington Park (1.15pm KO)

Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire

Vagabonds v Dukinfield @ Ballafletcher (1pm KO)

Manx Shield

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U16 Cheshire Cup – Round 2

Chester P-P Southern Nomads @ Chester