Douglas return to action at Birkenhead Park
Report by Dave Christian:
Vagas have a great opportunity to close the gap at the top of Counties 4 ADM Lancs/Cheshire when they visit bottom side Blackpool.
Vagas currently sit in third place, leaders Ashton-under-Lyne have a free week and second place Colne & Nelson have a potential banana skin away at Birchfield. A bonus point win could see Vagas move into second place if they can pull one off.
Blackpool have lost three from three including a home defeat by Chorley, Vagas by contrast are three from five and beat Chorley away from home.
Using Chorley as the common denominator seems to suggest a Vagas win.
Vagas last outing was a win against Birchfield and with a few team changes too. Dan Bonwick, so often the catalyst missed out on the Birchfield game after picking up an injury. Reece McCallister deputised at ten with Cam Findlay switching to full-back. Bonwick will hopefully return this week and that will be a boost for the team. Gavin Turnbull made his debut against Birchfield and his athleticism will provide a little more mobility to their solid pack.
Vagas could and should take maximum points from this game.
Douglas travel to league leaders
Douglas sit in eighth place in Regional 2 North West and the win against Burnage two weeks ago suggests they’re just hitting their straps after a slow start.
This weekend however the travel to league leaders Birkenhead Park for what will be their first big test of the season.
Birkenhead have lost just one from seven and are averaging almost forty points per game, Douglas by contrast have won two from seven and are averaging just over sixteen per game.
The Burnage result suggests Douglas have improved and they have a strong squad travelling. Jack Laughnane makes his debut at prop while Craig McGee adds some bulk to the second row. Guy Barrons who bagged a brace against Burnage starts on the wing again and player-coach Brett Pyke lines up at centre.
This is a strong Douglas side, but potentially not strong enough at Birkenhead.
IOM Barbarians make their debut
Collaborations in Isle of Man rugby are not new - Ramsey and Southern Nomads combined their second teams to make the world famous Northern Spaniards and not only had tremendous fun, but also turned former adversaries into lifelong friends.
Both clubs currently have more than enough for a first team and these excess players are hoping to join with “spares “ from Douglas, Vagabonds, Vikings and Castletown to form a fifth team in the Manx Shield and boost fixture numbers in the process.
The Barbarians are set for a debut game this weekend where they visit the Mooragh Park, Ramsey are currently top of the Shield standings however the word on the street suggests that this weekend’s Ramsey team will be more orientated towards the Ramsey second team.
This should equal things up for the Barbarians and make for a more enjoyable playing experience.
In title terms however, expect a Ramsey win.
Fixtures 4 November 2023
Regional 2 North West
Birkenhead Park v Douglas @ Birkenhead Park (1.30pm KO)
Counties 4 ADM Lancs/Cheshire
Blackpool v Vagabonds @ Blackpool (2.30pm KO)
Ravenscroft Manx Shield
Ramsey v IOM Barbarians @ Mooragh Park (2.15pm KO)
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