Rugby: Douglas to welcome league leaders to Port-e-Chee

Vagas men's and ladies also both in action on Saturday (Fixtures: 17 Feb)

Report by Dave Christian:

Douglas have a big task ahead of them this week when Regional 2 North West leaders Birkenhead Park come to Port-e-Chee. 

Park have lost twice this season however both were “on the road” so that may give Douglas some encouragement.

Statistically 'Park' have scored more than anyone else in the table however their defence is far from the best and Douglas’ is slightly tighter and indeed the away match which Park won 29-10 is one of the better looking scores from visits to their ground.

Douglas picked up a few knocks a fortnight ago but they do welcome Harry Hewson back into the squad which should help - the front row looks solid and skipper Blake Snell should have a nice ride in the set piece wherever he packs down.

Kick-off at Port-e-Chee is at a slightly earlier 1.30pm.

Vagabonds Men's and Ladies both in action

Vagabonds return to home action this weekend in Counties 4 ADM Lancs/Cheshire when Blackpool visit Ballafletcher. 

Vagas know that the promotion places are looking very tight in this division and need every possible point from their four remaining games, they won 27-14 away at Blackpool earlier in the season so this game will hold no fears for them. 

Blackpool are at two from eight in terms of their win ratio while Vagas are six from ten - the two top sides in the league both have to play Vagabonds but also have to play each other and if Vagas can hoover up the points in their other games, they’ll be handily placed to benefit from that top of the table clash.

Last week Vagas lost a little surprisingly away at Birchfield, the margin was only a single point but nonetheless it was a loss. 

They clearly missed influential stand off Dan Bonwick who wasn’t on the trip but is thought to be worth around ten points whatever position he plays - home advantage may however see him return to the squad this week which should help the chase for five points.

Blackpool’s game against Colne & Nelson was abandoned last week due to a dangerous pitch with Colne 31-0 ahead and only for both Birchfield and Chorley suffering administrative penalties they would be level at the bottom with Chorley. 

Vagabonds at home and on form should pick up maximum points from this one.

Kick-off at Ballafletcher is at 1.00pm

Elsewhere, Vagabonds Ladies return to action in the Womens NC1 North West on Saturday as they travel off-Island to face Liverpool St Helens.

Three-way tie at Mooragh Park in Manx Shield

Ramsey should’ve been playing Western Vikings ion the Manx Shield however with a somewhat disjointed fixture list, local organisers have thrown up a three-way scrap with Southern Nomads coming to join the Mooragh Park party. 

Each side will play the other for forty minutes, meaning everyone gets eighty minutes of action.

Ramsey have been the dominant side this season and on paper should win both their games, they’ve beaten Southern Nomads convincingly twice in recent weeks and even if form play Josh Corteen is doubtful due to a thumb injury, they should have enough in the tank to beat both. 

The Western Vikings game will of course be a dress rehearsal for the Cheshire Plate final on 16 March.

Western Vikings v Southern Nomads should perhaps be a contest - a neat cameo from Rob Craine turned the last Nomads/Vikings game. 

The Peel outfit do of course have Jack Goodwin back from injury and while he’s no Josh Hockney, his presence on the field will be a threat for Nomads to watch.

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