Rugby: Douglas still searching for first win this weekend

Manx side head to Vale of Lune after tough start to season

Report by Dave Christian:

Douglas head to bottom side Vale of Lune this week, chasing their first win of the season. Three narrow defeats have given Douglas three valuable points but they'll want more this time out.

Vagabonds men and ladies kick off their league seasons this weekend with trips to Ellesmere Port and Chester Devas respectively.

The men are in Counties 4 ADM Lancs/Cheshire this season and are no strangers to Ellesmere Port - the two have met six times in the leagues and are evens at three apiece. 

Ellesmere Port did however to the double over Vagas last season winning home and away.

While Vagas have yet to start, their opponents are one game in and suffered a 35-10 defeat away at Ashton Under Lyme two weeks ago. 

With the Rugby World Cup now in full swing its difficult to say whether this result was a blip, but Ashton were third last season and were just two wins away from promotion which means they could be a form team. Vagas though have a wealth of talent. 

Matt Rockwell and Mitch Wells up front, Mark Oldfield in the back row and new vice captain Dan Bonwick pulling the strings at ten all mean that the team on its day has the winning mindset.

Similarly to the men, Vagas Ladies have met their opponents a number of times over the years. 

Fourteen in total with Vagas eight – six ahead in the win stakes - the Devas did however win twice last season albeit in very tight games. 

No matches have yet been played in Womens NC1 North West so there’s no current form to gauge. 

Last season Southport & Halifax took the promotion spots but behind them there were just five points separating the next three which included Vagas and Chester. 

The Vagas squad has been training hard but could be affected by the World Cup. Corinna Daly reportedly retired at the end of last season however Sophie Henry showed excellent form with ball in hand and could be a replacement to provide the vavoom when its needed.

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Fixtures (Saturday, 23 September, 2023)