Vagas triumph in nail biter against Liverpool Uni

Dave Christian reports on today's rugby fixtures (25/01)

Vagas secure play off spot

Vagabonds beat Liverpool University 34-31 at Ballafletcher to secure their place in the Lancs/Cheshire 2 promotion shoot-out. The bonus point win means that Vagas are guaranteed a top four finish in phase one of the competition and will be part of a four way play off which begins next month. Skipper James Clarke ran in a hat trick of tries for Vagas as their tight five put in a monstrous shift against the students. Prop Luke Purdy also bagged one with their fifth coming from a penalty try. Ryan de la Harpe added two conversions and a penalty.
 
Douglas Celts on course for double

Douglas Celts kept their Cup and Shield double bid on course with a 29-13 defeat of Ramsey at the Mooragh Park in the Manx Cup. Rob Todd and Danny Creer both crossed for Douglas in the first half with Bryn Snellgrove converting both and adding a penalty which saw the Celts 17-8 in front at the break. Dan Bonwick weighed in for Ramsey with a try and a penalty. Tries from Roland Kaslo and Owen Carvin extended the lead in the second half with Stevie Kneale getting a late consolation for Ramsey.
 
Emerging Nomads win Southern derby

Emerging Nomads secured the bragging rights in the South with a 31-12 defeat of Castletown in the Manx Plate. Django Kinley, Harry Brereton, Colin Kelly, Adam Young and Kieran Maddrell all went in for Nomads with Young converting two and the new Johnny Wilkinson, Mike Quayle converting one. Darren Davis and Callum Coulthard crossed for Town with Aaron Kiernan converting one.
 
Results
Lancs/Cheshire 2
Vagabonds 34-31 Liverpool University
 
Manx Cup
Ramsey 13-29 Douglas Celts
 
Manx Plate
Emerging Nomads 31-12 Castletown
Western Vikings p-p Vagabonds B