Rugby: Island sides heading to Cheshire finals this weekend

'Old firm' clash awaits in Manx Cup

Report by Dave Christian:

Ramsey and Southern Nomads both approach the end of the season with a Cheshire Final this weekend. 

Both games take place at Chester Rugby Club’s Hare Lane ground with Nomads meeting Port Sunlight in the Bowl Final and Ramsey taking on New Brighton in the Vase Final.

Nomads were in a pool for qualification with Port Sunlight, Oldershaw and Western Vikings. 

They won all three of their ties and finished top with Port Sunlight finishing second and also qualifying. 

The game between Nomads and Sunlight back in October was a corker with Nomads winning 46-34 in an 80-point epic.

Port Sunlight are playing in what is known as NORIWUL Division 3 West - this isn’t part of the English League system and sits just below. 

There are some familiar teams in this league - Ellesmere Port, Oxton Parkonians, Wallasey, Newton le Willows, Ruskin Park, Birchfield and Oldershaw are all here following the mini collapse of the lower league structure in 2019.

'Sunlight' are sitting in seventh place with eight wins from 20 games and they should be a good match for Nomads although perhaps at this stage of the season they may be a little more battle-hardened. 

Nomads rely heavily on their talented back line and success for this game will depend on who is available. 

Mark Young and George Callister are capable half backs, and outside them sit the likes of Will Taisia, Tony Quinn and the Craine brothers Rob and Mikey; underrated from their forwards is back rower Max Elwig and they’ll need him at his destructive best.

After Nomads raise the curtain, Ramsey take on New Brighton in the vase final. 

Both sides qualified easily enough and Ramsey’s only defeat came at the hands of New Brighton 36-12 back in October - the game was finely balanced 7-7 at half time but New Brighton eased clear after the break.

Since that game Ramsey have lost Nathan Robson and Ryan Wren to Douglas so some adjustment has been needed in the squad. 

Josh Leece and Sam Corlett are likely to be in the frame for the nine jersey, Jake Richmond should be back after a trip to Nepal and students Joey Callow, Ben Gelling and Luke Ward are also likely to be sticking hands up.

New Brighton play two divisions above Vagabonds in Counties 1 ADM and will be a proper test for Ramsey who have league ambitions of their own. 

They are however in eighth place with eight wins from 22 games and are far from their best.

While this could be an opportunity for Ramsey, on paper at least the best chance of some Isle of Man silverware this weekend is probably with Southern Nomads.

'Old Firm' clash in the Manx Cup

In the shadow of the two comps is perhaps a bigger game - the “old firm” of Vagabonds v Douglas doesn’t happen very often and given the current gap in playing level the result could be academic. 

Douglas come into the game as very hot favourites to lift the Manx Cup and it's unlikely that an exhausted 'Vagas' squad can prevent a Douglas win. 

For the players however its Vagabonds v Douglas and there’s no greater incentive.

Douglas were superb last week against Waterloo and while they’re likely to perhaps rest a few players, anything close will be difficult for 'Vagas' to handle. 

Liam Kirkpatrick’s carries, Jonty Cope’s acceleration plus the Martin twins’ out and out pace mean Douglas will be tough. 

Vagabonds may, however, welcome back skipper Dan Bonwick and prop Joe Louw and their experience may assist in the battle. 

Douglas should however win.

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Fixtures

Saturday, 12 April 2025