Rugby: Vagabonds' charge continues with victory at Blackpool

Douglas lose out to joint-leaders in Regional 2 North West (Results - 4 Nov)

Report by Dave Christian:

Vagas maintained their run in Counties 4 ADM Lancs/Cheshire with a 27-14 win away at Blackpool. 

Cam Findlay, Josh Modin and Dan Bonwick all crossed for tries for Vagas with Findlay’s boot adding three conversions, a penalty and a drop goal which he modestly described as 'majestic'. 

The result leaves Vagas in third place in the standings - second place Colne & Nelson dodged a bullet away at Birchfield and the gap between them and Vagas remains at four points.

Douglas lose at league leaders

Douglas lost 29-10 away at Regional 2 North West joint-leaders Birkenhead Park. 

Sam McCord crossed for Douglas’ only try of the game and Luke Hyland’s boot kept them respectable with penalty and a conversion - wins elsewhere in the table though see Douglas drop a place to ninth.

It doesn’t get any easier for Douglas either next Saturday as they face Bowdon, the other side at the top of the table, although they will have home advantage.

Barbarians lose in Shield debut

The IOM Barbarians experiment in the Manx Shield ended with a 62-31 defeat in a high scoring affair at the Mooragh Park. 

After twenty minutes the game was tied 5-5 when Tom Dutnall’s score for the Barbarians cancelled out Eddie Plaatjies opener for Ramsey, on his senior debut. 

Ramsey then ran away with the game for a short period with tries from Nathan Robson, Brandon Atchison and Jake Richmond. 

Conor McCaughan and Harry Corrin then both hit back for the Barbarians with Jack Caine adding the extras before Atchison bagged his second just before the break to leave Ramsey 38-19 ahead at half time.

Jake Richmond completed his hat trick early in the second half with two quick tries - Brayden Roche also picked one up for Ramsey before Atchison also completed his hat trick. 

In the late stages of the game Norman Winterbach secured a bonus point for the Barbarians and Harry Corrin rounded off proceedings with his second which he also converted himself.

**

Results, 4 November, 2023

Regional 2 North West

Birkenhead Park 29-10 Douglas

Counties 4 ADM Lancs/Cheshire

Blackpool 14-27 Vagabonds

Ravenscroft Manx Shield

Ramsey 62-31 IOM Barbarians