Rugby: Douglas face tough trip to Burnage

Ramsey on the road and a local derby in Cheshire competitions

Report by Dave Christian:

Douglas look to have turned a corner with back to back home wins in Regional 2 North West however they have a tougher task this week with a visit to fourth-placed Burnage.

Burnage have won four from six including a win away at Sandbach where Douglas lost out a fortnight ago. 

They have however lost their last two which could give Douglas a chance to keep them in a bit of a rut - historically the teams have met seven times with Burnage just ahead four-three on the scoreboard and last season it was all square with Douglas winning at Port-e-Chee but losing away.

The squad was especially efficient last week against Altrincham Kersal - new scrum half Nathan Robson picked up a man of the match from his team, Liam Kirkpatrick was particularly destructive in the back row and Bryn Snellgrove pulled the strings perfectly in the ten jersey. 

It’ll be a step up for them to win at Burnage but a step they need to make if they have top four ambition.

Ramsey travel to New Brighton

Ramsey’s reward for a Cheshire Plate win last season was promotion to the Vase, this week they have a pool game against New Brighton to look forward to and some interesting permutations. 

The top two will qualify for the final in this four-team pool and a Prenton win at Wallasey on 5 October has opened it right out. 

A win for Ramsey in this game after beating Prenton 53-19 in the opening round will put them in a very strong position ahead of their final game away at Wallasey next month.

The squad has lost scrum half Nathan Robson to Douglas but Danny Howard’s recent try-out worked well and they also have Sam Corlett as an option too. 

Kieran Kneale is likely to miss out with a wrist injury but twin brother Steve will be available and Jake Richmond at centre is in tip-top form and Ramsey will no doubt be trying to move the New Brighton pack around and play a fast paced back line game which could just do the job.

New Brighton play in Counties 1 ADM Lancs/Cheshire and on paper are a cut above Ramsey. 

Their season however isn’t going so well and they’ve lost four from seven, have a leaky defence and a blunt attack, New Brighton have to start as favourites but this could be Ramsey’s chance.

Local derby in Cheshire Bowl

Southern Nomads travel to Peel in the Cheshire Bowl knowing that a win will almost guarantee a spot in the final, they will however have a trip to Oldershaw next month for confirmation.

These two haven’t yet met in the Manx Shield however Nomads’ win away at Port Sunlight in this competition is a good basis for assessing their form. 

They also had a solid win against a fairly sturdy Douglas Casual side last week so should be in excellent nick, Nomads also gave Ramsey a scare in an earlier Shield match whereas Vikings struggled a little at the Mooragh losing out in a fifty point game.

A few Vikings have had league run outs for Vagas as Tom Randall, Harvey Callister and Ed Knight have all appeared on the team sheet and this additional game time could assist. 

The rest of the squad however hasn’t had enough game time.

Nomads look good from one through to fifteen - the Craine brothers in the back line are creative, Mark Young and George Callister at half back are settled and experienced and led by Finn McGregor at centre, Nomads look much the stronger of the two.

**

Fixtures 26 October 2024

Regional 2 North West

Burnage v Douglas @ Burnage (2pm KO)

Cheshire Vase

New Brighton v Ramsey @ New Brighton (2.30pm KO)

Cheshire Bowl

Western Vikings v PDMS Southern Nomads @ QE2 (2.15pm KO)