Honours even in 'derby' thriller

Round two of the battle between Douglas and Ramsey in South Lancashire-Cheshire Division 2 finished in a thrilling 25-25 draw at Port-e-Chee.

Douglas stormed into an early lead courtesy of a Tim Mitchell penalty and a Mike Hebden try, converted by Chris Brew. Henry Lord crashed over to get Ramsey back into the game and when Ramsey skipper Will Keenan crossed for a try the game was level 10-10 at half-time.

In the second half it was Ramsey's turn to forge ahead, when vice-captain Aneurin Pritchard went in for a try which he converted himself. Simon Heggs got Douglas back on track though, and when Tim Mitchell converted his try the score was level again at 17-17.

Fintan Cummins and Tim Mitchell then traded penalties at each end to push the score along to 20-20 before Johnny Watling crossed for what he thought was the winning score. But Douglas had once shot left in the locker, and a Conor McCaughan try with the last play of the game levelled the scores once again.

Ramsey B beat Castletown 19-18 in their BSM Manx Cup Semi-final replay to book their place in the final against Vagabonds B on March 12.

Town started the better and were in front when Daryl Richards barged over after just two minutes. Sam Peel increased their lead to 8-0 with a penalty a few minutes later. James Wren struck back for Ramsey B to make it 8-5 but a second Peel penalty gave Castletown an 11-7 advantage at the break.

A Mick Shipley try converted by Sam Peel extended Castletown's lead to 18-7 early in the second half, but Ramsey hit back. Ali Trace's try converted by Dan Bonwick reduced the lead to 18-14 and man of the match Bonwick finished it off for Ramsey, touching down with the last play of the game.

The opening match in the Shimmin Wilson Manx Bowl was drawn 19-19 as Emerging Nomads failed to cling onto an early lead.

Two tries from 'Skidder' Samuels and one from Josh Samuels, plus conversions from Jack Callaghan and Steve McHugh gave Nomads a sniff of their first win of the season.
But Douglas hit back, and tries from Phil Garrett and Christian Moore, plus the kicking boots of Gareth Hooson-Owen gave them a share of the spoils.