Rugby: Douglas to host Winnington Park 

Vagabonds and Ramsey both on their travels this weekend

Report by Dave Christian:

After last week’s travel tribulations Douglas are at Port-e-Chee this weekend where they’ll face Northwich club, Winnington Park. 

Historically the two sides have met 12 times with Douglas 7-5 ahead in the stats. 

Their most recent meetings were last season when Douglas won home and away. 

This season, however Winnington are looking a little perkier in the opening games - while Douglas sit in fifth, Winnington are sixth and the points are level, although Douglas now have a game in hand.

As always, the key to success is consistency of team selection and so far, Douglas have had this. 

Nathan Robson was set to start last week following an injury so he should get the nod at nine this week; a couple of the lads selected last week did pick up some game time for Southern Nomads though; Owen Carvin looked solid and Kyle Martin looked quick, plus the bagged three tries between them and obviously put up a strong case for reselection with week.

With home advantage and a team “on the up” Douglas should take a win here.

'Vagas' and Ramsey both away

Vagabonds and Ramsey both hit the road this weekend - Vagabonds head for Ashton-under-Lyne while Ramsey go a bit further north to Colne & Nelson.

Vagas and Ashton are no strangers - they’ve met four times and are two apiece in the win column. 

The most recent meeting was in March this year though with 'Vagas' losing out 62-14. 

The new season, however has only seen two or three games apiece and with Vagabonds losing both and Ashton claiming one from three.

'Vagas' will likely be without prop Joe Louw and the shuffle around to cover this could affect their front row which is usually a strong point; Cam Findlay had a trot with Western Vikings last Saturday and was excellent, he scored one and kicked three conversions in a very difficult cross wind and his availability will be important for Vagabonds and paired up with Dan Bonwick at half back, will form a formidable axis.

Ramsey felt a little unlucky after an opening defeat at Congleton but were blown away at Bury the following week when a wedding disrupted things. 

Things should be better this week and with Colne also struggling with no points at the foot of the table, things could be a lost closer than the 116-0 Bury result.

Adam Dunlop’s availability will be important for Ramsey, he offers stability in the set piece and can get around the park a bit too, to offer something else in broken play; skipper, Josh Corteen and his partnership with fellow back rower Matt Meechan are also important for the squad.

Celts meet Nomads in Manx Shield

There is also a game in the Hartford Homes Manx Shield where Douglas Celts host Southern Nomads at Port-e-Chee. 

Douglas won the first match-up so Nomads will want some payback - they were, however a few players short last week with some Douglas men filling the gaps, I don’t expect to see such philanthropy this week though.

Nomads had some great interplay going forward - Mark Young was using his full back of tricks at ten and when they ran out he was using Dick Seed as a human battering ram; captain, Finn McGregor was his competent self and the player formerly known as “big” Ste McHugh is now “little” Ste McHugh following some big weight loss and he showed that there’s more to his game than smashing the ball up in a straight line.

Douglas, however have a formidable squad with quite a few players fringing on first team spots - George Antill in particular caught the eye last week in a brief cameo for Nomads and he’ll want to put his hand up for higher honours.

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