Poor start for local rugby teams

2012 didn’t start too well for the three local sides competing in South Lancashire/Cheshire Division Two.

League leaders Douglas slipped up at Marple going down 19-17 in a very tight game, with Marple kicking the winning points in the last minute.

Douglas had engineered a winning position with tries from Andy Evans (two) and Ian Geddes, plus a conversion from Bryn Snellgrove.

Marple, however, snatched the points at the death.

The result, plus others, see Douglas drop from top to fourth but there’s still only a point in it.

Vagabonds didn’t do Douglas any favours away at Oswestry when they were out powered by a huge Oswestry pack and slumped to a 41-0 defeat.

Ramsey also had an opportunity to assist Douglas when they hosted Crewe & Nantwich at Mooragh Park but Crewe came out 44-15 winners.

Ramsey were right in it and trailed only 17-15 thanks to tries from John F Watling and James Wren, plus a penalty and conversion from Fintan Cummins.

Crewe powered clear late in the second half and picked up a winning bonus point too.