Rugby: Manx Shield the focus this weekend

Ramsey in friendly action at Nortwich Stags

Report by Dave Christian:

Douglas and Vagabonds both take a week off from league action this Saturday, while Vagabonds Ladies scheduled fixture against Eccles has been pushed back to March. 

This leaves just two matches in the Ravenscroft Manx Shield to focus on - at Ballakilley Park, Southern Nomads host Western Vikings and at Poulsom Park Castletown host Isle of Man Barbarians. 

There is a third fixture too, with Ramsey playing Northwich Stags at Northwich, subject of course to the weather.

Nomads showed some promising patches of play last Saturday, Geroge Callister, Mark Young and Finn McGregor were all busy however there’s no getting away from a 72-12 defeat and they desperately need additional game time. 

Vikings welcomed back Jack Goodwin after a lengthy injury absence and he scored in their win against Castletown, Vikings do however have a steep climb ahead of them for their Cheshire Plate final against Ramsey which has been confirmed as 16 March.

Castletown meanwhile take on the IoM Barbarians at Poulsom Park with both Douglas and Vagabonds free, there should be a few fringe players looking for game time which will help both sides. The 'Baa Baas' depend on player overspill from elsewhere and if there’s a few extra bodies they could well prosper here.

For Ramsey, the trip to Northwich is a mid-season fixture list filler and something of a gamble. If is pays off they’ll get a good game, but if the Northwich pitch succumbs to the big freeze, Ramsey could see upwards of £4000 in travel money disappear into the ether.

**

Fixtures 20 January, 2024

Ravenscroft Manx Shield (All 2.15pm KO)

PDMS Southern Nomads v Western Vikings @ Ballakilley

Castletown v IOM Barbarians @ Poulsom Park

Friendly

Ramsey v Northwich Stags (12.30pm KO)