Rugby: Southern Nomads aim for Cheshire Bowl final

Douglas host Eccles and Vagas ladies head to Littleborough

Report by Dave Christian:

Nomads are in pole position to make the Bowl final but travel to Oldershaw on Saturday knowing that mathematically at least, there’s still a chance that they could miss out. 

Two points or more would see them through while Oldershaw know that a win would be enough for them. 

Western Vikings are likely to concede the other game against Port Sunlight which means Sunlight will finish on eleven points and may yet snatch a spot in the final.

Douglas host Eccles

Eccles are the visitors to Port-e-Chee this weekend in Regional 2 North West, Douglas are three from nine and sit in eighth place in the standings while Eccles are just one from nine and sit in eleventh. 

Eccles however are on a run of five straight defeats and Douglas have won their three last home games, this all suggests a Douglas win is likely.

Weather conditions could be a factor in this with Storm Bert arriving on Saturday. 

Douglas at home however should see the return of a few names missing from last week - Bryn Snellgrove at ten and Simon Hoddinott in the front row will make a difference to them and if Liam Kirkpatrick is fit again for the back row that will give the forwards and extra lift. 

With nobody else playing this weekend Douglas could steal a march and sneak up to sixth place.

Vagas Ladies travel to Littleborough

In Women's NC2 North (South) Vagas Ladies hit the road looking for their first away win. 

Littleborough have won one from three while Vagas are two from four so on paper at least there isn’t too much between them, looking at the results side-by-side however Vagas look a little bit stronger on paper.

Teamwise, Vagas look to be pretty much at full strength - there may be some positional changes in the squad but all their big players look like they’ll be available. 

Sophie Henry and Maylyn Campbell in particular make up a tough back row and Holly Shea who was impressive against Bury in their last home game looks to be getting a start in the nine jersey. 

Sandi Dawson will make her first start and the old favourites of Sammie Macdonald, Lauren Ellison and Greeba Taisia are all likely to feature too.

Vagabonds and Ramsey left high and dry

Vagabonds were due to play Old Bedians in Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire this week and Ramsey were due to play Wallasey in the Cheshire Vase, both however have been left without games as the England based clubs struggle with player numbers.

Old Bedians have announced this week that they’re withdrawing their first team from Counties 3 with immediate effect. This is a result of player numbers and the fact that they were pitched into a slightly higher level than anticipated following the summer league restructuring.

For Wallasey the issues are a little different - they have some mid-season injury problems and as a small club they have nobody to fill in the gaps, particularly in their front row. They gave Ramsey notice on Monday (18 November).

This will leave both Manx sides with a financial headache as travel arrangements so close to game time are likely to be on a non-refundable basis.

At this stage it’s not clear how the Divisional Organising Committee will deal with the Bedians withdrawal. 

For Ramsey however its slightly better news as Wallasey conceded the game which means Ramsey are now confirmed a spot in the Cheshire Vase final later in the season and will play New Brighton. 

To fill in the gap this week Ramsey have a friendly against Wigan 2nds

**