Rugby: Douglas on the road at Sandbach

Vagabonds Ladies return to league competition against Eccles

After a break in their schedule last week, Douglas return to Regional 2 North West competition this weekend as they head out on the road to Sandbach.

So far, Douglas' stuttering start has seen them claim one win from their opening four matches - but whilst they sit ninth in the standings their overall total of nine points - which includes four bonus points - has given them an eight-point cushion from Northwich currently propping up the table in 12th.

Saturday sees them take on a Sanbach side who have impressed towards the summit at this early stage of the campaign, winning three of their opening four games.

That along with three try bonus points means they reside fourth on 15 points and just five points off Firwood Waterloo in top spot going into this weekend.

Tough job for Vagabonds

Report by Dave Christian:

Salford outfit De La Salle arrive at Ballafletcher on Saturday for the first meeting between the two sides - De La Salle sit second in Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire and have won four from four, Vagabonds by contrast are twelfth and have lost four from four, which suggests that the game could well go the visitors' way.

It wasn't that long ago that De La Salle played Douglas in a promotion play-off game - Douglas won and moved to Regional 2 North West while De La Salle have clearly dropped a division or two, probably due to the Covid hangover which has decimated so many clubs, and were relegated from Counties 2 at the end of last season. 

Early results suggest that this may be a temporary blip though, although they have had a number of tight results in their four wins.

Vagas will be hoping that home advantage will assist - a week off will have given everyone a chance to shake of any early season niggles and skipper Dan Bonwick should have a full squad to select from. 

Joe Louw and Tom Gascoyne both play important roles in the team and were both missing from the 45-0 away defeat at Colne & Nelson two weeks ago, everyone will however need to be on tip top for to get a result against De La Salle.

Vagas Ladies host Eccles

Also at Ballafletcher this weekend Vagabonds Ladies host Eccles in Womens NC2 North (South). 

These two sides are much more familiar and have met eight times previously with Vagas ahead six-two statistically, the last meeting was as recently as March when after a poor season Vagas pulled off a 19-0 win. 

This season both sides have only played one game each - Vagas lost heavily away at Leigh while Eccles won away at Littleborough.

Vagas will have some improved firepower this week with the return of Jules Harrison to the back line and Sophie Henry to the back row, both are ball carriers and capable of punching holes in defence lines and they'll both be welcome additions to the team.

There'll also be a debut on the wing for Iona Lea who is reported to have straight line speed with the ball and some space; Hannah Kissack should be making her forward debut off the bench too; Kyla Akey-Quayle and Hollie Scott are likely to miss out with injury.

Western Vikings visit Ramsey

The second round of the Manx Shield also goes this Saturday with Western Vikings headed to Ramsey's Mooragh Park. 

Vikings were forced to concede in their Cheshire Bowl game last Saturday so all crossable body parts will be crossed to make sure they play this time around. 

Ramsey are likely to be at full strength, apart from scrum half Nathan Robson who has transferred to Douglas and while the Cheshire final last year saw a 28-0 Ramsey win, I suspect the margin here could be significantly bigger.

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Fixtures (12-10-24)

Regional 2 North West

Sandbach v Douglas @ Sandbach (1.30pm KO)

Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire

Vagabonds v De La Salle (Salford) at Ballafletcher (KO TBC)

Womens NC2 North (South)

Vagabonds v Eccles at Ballafletcher (1.45pm KO)

Manx Shield

Ramsey v Western Vikings at Mooragh Park (2.15pm KO)