Rugby: Three Island sides involved in season finales this weekend

Ramsey game also pairing as Cheshire Bowl final

Report by Dave Christian:

Ramsey, Vagabonds and Vagabonds Ladies all face their final league games of the 2025-26 season this weekend and all are away from home. 

Ramsey travel to Hoylake for their game in Counties 3 ADM Lancashire/Cheshire Minor Conference in a game which will also double as the final of the Cheshire Bowl. 

Vagabonds head to Dukinfield - also in the conference - and Vagabonds Ladies make a daunting trip to Sale FC 1861 2nd XV to face the unbeaten league champions in Women's NC2 North (South).

Ramsey beat Hoylake in phase one of Counties 3 running out 41-28 winners at the Mooragh Park back in January. 

There’s unlikely to be a big change to the line-up for this game but much will depend on the availability of players to travel. 

Ramsey do however have the luxury of a couple of UK-based players who could help swell the ranks, with Joey Callow and Harry Parsons being on the list; Jake Richmond and Brandon Atchison renewed a centre partnership last week which yielded five of Ramsey’s seven tries, Richmond did leave the field with a shoulder knock but is optimistic of being fit for this game; Micheal Flynn went off with a niggly back but is also hopeful of being fit. 

The Cheshire Bowl double-up is a quirk of circumstances but will provide a little bit of end-of-season spice.

Vagabonds have been steadily improving all season and currently top the minor conference where only six points separates top from bottom. 

When phase one points are carried over, however it is likely that Dukinfield will take the honours and just a single point from this game will be enough. 

Their results, however resemble something of a roller coaster, although they’re always strong at home.

Vagabonds have had a week off to recharge the batteries after an impressive 32-10 win against Hoylake. 

Like Ramsey, though they may not be able to bring everyone away for the day and the squad strength will be important - Jack Cutts and Theo Head were both on target against Hoylake and to have two youngsters like this in the back line augurs well for 'Vagas’' future, even if they may struggle in Dukinfield.

For Vagabonds Ladies the trip is even tougher... winning Womens NC2 North (South), Sale have swept aside all before them. 

They’ve won 13 from 13 and conceded an average of just eight points per game, Nobody has really got near to them. 

Their closest rivals were Macclesfield and Didsbury and they were despatched 56-0 and 70-0 respectively in their last meetings. 

This should give some perspective on the job Vagabonds Ladies face.

While the season seems unlikely to end in success, the Ladies can take many positives forward - in Bea O’Neill they’ve discovered a new star; Freya Crowe has been sensational and the standard of team work had been great. 

They have four selected for Cheshire, too and a couple of older players have been brought back in too with Corinna Daly’s appearance in the ten jersey being both unexpected and moderately successful. 

As mentioned above, away trips are hard and this one is perhaps the hardest.