Rugby: First ever Cheshire final on Manx shores this Saturday

Ramsey & Western Vikings to face off at Ballafletcher

Report by Dave Christian:

The Cheshire Plate isn’t a significant trophy in the great scheme of things but when a final is played on Manx soil between two Manx teams it becomes a milestone event. 

This season Ramsey and Western Vikings have both qualified from their respective pools and Cheshire RFU will be in attendance to watch the game.

On paper, it should be Ramsey’s game - they’ve pretty much swept all before them this season and have some serious fire power in the back line. 

Nathan Robson at nine, Conor Goodall at ten and Jake Richmond outside means they have some options. 

The question is whether the Ramsey forwards will be up to the job - Vikings will be tough to beat in the forwards. 

The Goodwin brothers are fierce competitors and the father and son pairing of Juan and Harvey Callister will look to create problems all over the park.

Don’t be fooled by Ramsey’s playing record, this will be a tough game and it’s a final too, these kind of games can bring out the best in an underdog team and Vikings won’t be there to make up the numbers.

Douglas face Crewe & Nantwich

Douglas’ tough run in to the end of the season starts on Saturday when fourth place Crewe & Nantwich rumble into town for their meeting in Regional 2 North West. 

Douglas are 4-2 on the head-to-head meetings but until this season they hadn’t faced each other in league action since 2011 - Crewe have won the last two meetings including a 39-18 win back in November.

Douglas welcome back Rob Todd and Cal Dentith to the squad but will however miss out on Angus Wheeler. 

Outside these, the squad is likely to see few changes from last week’s win over Kirkby Lonsdale and with home advantage they’ll fancy their chances. 

Crewe however boast the tightest defence in the league and a bringing plenty of support and on paper they should take the points.

Vagabonds host Ashton-under-Lyne in promotion battle

With just a handful of games left in Counties 4 ADM Lancs/Cheshire things couldn’t be tighter at the top. 

Colne & Nelson head the standings by four points from Ashton with Vagas in third place five points back, all three play each other in the final weekends so the promotion spots are up for grabs. 

Vagas of course are the outsiders in the battle but two wins from their last two games might just be enough, depending on bonus points.

Ashton led the way for most of the season but haven’t had a game for over a month, Vagas won with a bonus point in the away leg so will really fancy their chances at home. 

Their last league match was back in February but two Manx Cup games have helped keep the team on the boil and they should go into this with better match fitness, that is of course a two-edged sword and a leg injury for Cam Findlay last week means he may be a doubt for this one.

Vagas success is built around the strength of the front five and all three bagged tries last week in the cup game against Nomads just to underline that, they also managed to rest Mark Oldfield and Dan Bonwick too and both are important especially defensively where Oldfield is a real nuisance for attacking teams.

The away win for Vagas and the lack of game time for Ashton coupled with home advantage and a big Ballafletcher crowd all point to a possible Vagabonds win however Ashton aren’t in second place for no good reason and will have a possible league title in their sights.

Final fling for Vagabonds Ladies

It’s the final game of the season for Vagabonds Ladies in Womens NC1 North West when Eccles visit Ballafletcher for the early kick off on Saturday. 

The two have met seven times previously with Vagas ahead on wins by five to two - Eccles however won the reverse fixture 67-7 which suggests Vagas have some work to do, Eccles however have only won that one game and this could give an improving Vagas side a sniff of their first win of the season.

Leona McGovern returns to lead the squad in the ten jersey after a week off; an unchanged front five will give continuity in the forwards and the impressive back row of Kirsty Cubbon, Ula Gona and Maylyn Campbell will also continue with Clara Townsin ready to provide impact off the bench. 

With McGovern back at ten Becky Dunne drops to full back and Bliss Murtagh links up with Sophie Henry in the centres, Jo Bell and Fran Hunt also slot onto the bench to provide experience whenever its needed.

It’s been something of a transitional season for Vagas so the performance will count for more than the result however a win would be a perfect way to end a difficult season and they are easily capable of pulling one off.

Joe 'no knock' Phelan - thank you and goodnight

The Cheshire final will mark the final appearance of referee Joe Phelan as he hangs up his whistle immediately afterwards. 

Joe recently celebrated his 40th anniversary of being a referee and thinks its high time for a man of his age to take things a little easier. 

He will of course continue to be involved with refereeing, appointing officials to games, assessing their performance and providing guidance and mentoring for new officials.

Isle of Man Rugby owes Joe a debt of gratitude for his commitment over the years and recognises that without the commitment of the likes of Joe, the rugby scene would look very different indeed.

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