Rugby: Vagabonds targeting back-to-back wins

Douglas welcome Burnage in Regional 2 North West

Report by Dave Christian:

On paper 'Vagas' have won two out of three in 2025 and this weekend Clitheroe visit Ballafletcher in Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire with 'Vagas' potentially riding the crest of a wave. 

A pinch of reality is however needed before anyone gets carried away, Clitheroe won the away leg 88-5 and Vagabonds still have the bluntest attack and the most porous defence in the table. 

Clitheroe however are unlikely to challenge for promotion and their record is only marginally better than Fleetwood who were beaten at Ballafletcher last Saturday.

Vagabonds went behind early on last week and showed tremendous strength of character to come back and win with a try bonus point. 

Daniel Bonwick and Tom Gascoyne both bagged two tries but a dominant front five got them into scoring positions. 

Tom Neeson and Regan Williams looked threatening in the wide channels too despite seeing little of the ball. 

With home advantage and a clear injury free run at the game Vagabonds are unlikely to give up points easily, even though on paper, Clitheroe must start as favourites.

Burnage visit Douglas

Douglas are in eighth place in Regional 2 North West, they’ve played fifteen and won six. 

Burnage are in fifth place and have won seven from 14 and when the two last met the final score was 42-27 with Douglas picking up two bonus points away from home. 

With an away win under the belt from last weekend coach Phil Cringle will fancy his chances at Port-e-Chee this weekend.

Neither side look likely to be in the hunt for promotion but with the right results Douglas could pick off a place in the top five and with their nearest rivals both facing top two opposition this week, Douglas really have a chance to steal a march. 

Liam Kirkpatrick looks likely to return and his presence in the back row will be a big boost; Douglas’ little general Bryn Snellgrove could also appear in the ten jersey which would be a big fillip too.

Douglas can and should pull this off, provided they’re at their best.

Ramsey host Vikings in Shield

After two unusual home defeats in friendlies Ramsey will be aiming to get the wheels back on the wagon with Western Vikings visiting the Mooragh for this Manx Shield clash. 

Nomads beat Vikings two weeks ago to take an early lead in the post-Christmas competition and it will be important for Ramsey to do the same.

The Northerners will be missing a couple though - Freddie Corlett and Jake Richmond are both away at Six Nations games. 

Expect to see Josh Leece deputise at scrum half with Will Millsopp possibly moving into the centre; Skipper Matt Meechan should be back from his ski trip to slot into the back row too and his ball carrying is so important for Ramsey to get onto the front foot.

Vikings are something of an unknown quantity in 2024-25. 

They ran Nomads very close just before Christmas but have struggled for numbers since then. 

At full strength they’re no pushovers but Ramsey beat them easily at the Mooragh before Christmas and should do so again.

Nomads Under-16's fly the flag at Caldy

It's Cheshire Bowl time for Southern Nomads U16 on Sunday with a semi-final clash against Caldy. 

Nomads were going well in the Cup Competition and were only beaten by the weather. 

A storm disruption saw them forfeit a cup game and drop into the Bowl, this is a little harsh but part of the competition rules to ensure games get played.

Nomads haven’t faced Caldy previously and are at full strength for the game. The squad is:

Forwards: Alex Bobok, Fyn De Backer, Josh Linwood, Jack McHugh, Hugo Perrie, Charlie Rotchell, Callum Ryan, Troy Smith, Matthew Coates, 

Backs: Stan Cubbon, Oisin Dunne, Seb Meechan, Charlie Quirk, Leo Titley, Abe Van Zyl, Michael Van Zyl, Arlo Vernon, Ethan Watt, Ted Weatherill and Josh Kemp

**

Fixtures - Saturday, 1 February 2025

Regional 2 North West

Douglas v Burnage @ Port-e-Chee (2pm KO)

Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire

Vagabonds v Clitheroe @ Ballafletcher (1.30pm KO)

Manx Shield

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

Sunday, 2 February 2025

U16 Cheshire Bowl Semi-Final

Caldy v Southern Nomads (10am KO)