Rugby: Douglas look for a double at Whitchurch

Tough test at Marple awaits Vagabonds

Report by Dave Christian:

Douglas won the home game 19-0 and travel to Whitchurch this week looking for away points which could see them continue their climb up the table. 

They sit seventh currently and are tied with Whitchurch - they are however only a point behind sixth place Altrincham who face Crewe & Nantwich and should be beaten. 

Regional 2 North West is however very competitive from third place down especially and you usually favour the home team.

There were no reported injuries from Port-e-Chee last Saturday so the team should be at full strength barring work commitments and are starting to build some momentum.

Vagabonds face tough test at Marple

Vagas need to get the wheels back on the wagon quickly in Counties 4 ADM Lancs/Cheshire - the home defeat last week by dark horses Ellesmere Port has left them sitting in third place in the standings. 

They’re six points adrift of leaders Ashton-under-Lyne and three away from second place Colne & Nelson who also have two games in hand - this week they travel to Marple which is never an easy place to visit.

Vagas and Marple have met fifteen times previously with Vagas ahead statistically 8-7. the most recent meeting was a 36-3 win for Vagas earlier this season. 

Marple ran leaders Ashton close last Saturday with just a point separating them which suggests their form could be peaking.

Vagas finished strongly last week and indeed won the second half against Ellesmere Port 14-5, their start however wasn’t as good and four first half tries for the visitors had already done the damage. 

The Ellesmere Port set scrummage posed a problem last week with Vagas not enjoying their usual scrum domination and perhaps that caused the problem. 

Plus, while playing Mark Oldfield at scrum half does give an extra back row man, he doesn’t quite have the zip of a natural nine for that quick ball a back line needs, defensively they were a little too narrow with four of Ellesmere’s tries made by left wing Ryan Turner who seemed to find acres of space.

To take Marple at Marple, everyone will need to be firing on all cylinders - it's doable though. Ramsey won 27-12 at Marple in the Cheshire Plate back in October, which should give Vagas some encouragement.

Two games in Manx Shield

Referees, posts and players were all missing last Saturday which caused the Shield calendar to be postponed - this Saturday however prospects are looking better with two games on the card, Ramsey take on Southern Nomads at the Mooragh while Western Vikings look for points against Castletown.

Ramsey v Nomads is always a tasty fixture, Ramsey have won all of the most recent encounters and on paper should do the same again, the only reported injuries are long termers and with a friendly coming up against Northwich next week, the travelling squad will be keen to stretch their legs. 

Nomads still have a mathematical shot in the Cheshire Bowl too so they will also want to keep their hand in - as both sides have been several weeks without games, this could be an afternoon of errors, but expect Ramsey to come out on top.

The posts at QEII are down for the season now which leaves Vikings playing away from home at Poulsom Park. 

They are building for a Cheshire Plate final against Ramsey on a date yet to be fixed and like the other two, will want to get their team running smoothly. 

Town struggle a little numbers wise but Douglas and Vagas both playing away should free up some spare bodies to assist.

Fixtures 13 January, 2024

Regional 2 North West

Whitchurch v Douglas @ Whitchurch (KO TBC)

Counties 4 ADM Lancs/Cheshire

Marple v Vagabonds @ Marple (KO TBC)

Ravenscroft Manx Shield (2.15pm KO)

Western Vikings v Castletown @ Poulsom Park

Ramsey v PDMS Southern Nomads @ Mooragh Park