Rugby: Ramsey sink Vagabonds in Manx Cup

Atchison bags hat-trick in solid victory for northerners

Report by Dave Christian:

It was a traditional blood and thunder Ravenscroft Manx Cup affair at a chilly Mooragh Park on Tuesday night with Ramsey taking the spoils by beating Vagabonds 30-0. 

Vagas were however down to fourteen men for over half an hour after losing stand off Dan Bonwick to a red card early in the second half while trailing 15-0 but having a tail wind.

Ramsey started with the wind at their backs and were soon in front. Josh Corteen stole a Vagas line out in their own twenty two. The Ramsey back line rejigged quickly and the ball was spun wide to try machine Brandon Atchison who raced in to score in the seventh minute. Fintan Cummins converted from out wide to make it 7-0.

It took another twenty minutes though before the scorers were troubled again. A midfield arm wrestle had kept the crowd entertained with multiple turnovers by both sides. Cummins was on the ball quick for Ramsey but he was matched by Vagas’ Ross Pulman as both earned penalties. The break came when Ramsey were awarded a penalty for a high tackle in kicking range. Atchison’s effort came back off a post but Vagas couldn’t clear the rebound and coughed up another penalty. Nathan Robson tapped it quickly and found Jake Richmond wide on the right to finish off the chance.

As half time approached Cummins won yet another battle on the ground and Vagas were penalised. They held onto the ball for too long though and referee Daryn Thompson marched them back another ten which brought them into Cummins’ range and he stroked the ball through the uprights for a 15-0 half time lead.

Ramsey made one half time change bringing on Rory Nicholson for Micheal Flynn and Nicholson was soon in the thick off it. Ramsey engineered a half chance for Atchison on the left wing. He chipped ahead but was blocked by former team mate Dan Bonwick which drew a yellow card. Words were exchanged with referee Thompson who swapped the yellow for a red and left Vagas with fourteen men. Ramsey took advantage from the next play and replacement Nicholson crashed over from close range to make it 20-0.

Vagas fronted up to the challenge of playing with fourteen. Mark Oldfield upped his work rate and battled for everything and Cam Findlay fired every shot in his locker to get his back line going. The Ramsey defence however held firm and as the hour approached, Nathan Robson slipped through a gap from scrum half. He was brought down shy of the Vagas line but delivered quick ball which enabled Atchison to race home for his second and a 25-0 lead, plus the all important try bonus point.

Ramsey finished it off with fifteen to go. A Vagas clearance was fielded by Ryan Wren just inside their half. He secured possession and set up a rapid counterattack. The ball was quickly shipped to Atchison who raced in for his third which put the result beyond any doubt.