Rugby: Crunch time for Douglas in rearranged Burnage tie

Nomads and Vikings to face off in Manx Shield

Report by Dave Christian:

In Regional 2 North West, Douglas face Burnage in their much-vaunted game in hand. 

The original fixture was postponed due to a passing storm and Douglas will finally make the trip this weekend. 

A few unexpected defeats however have changed the significance of the game - Douglas were top of the standings at the end of November and maximum points from this fixture would’ve extended their lead. 

Four defeats since then, however have left them in third. 

Maximum points now will still see them third but there’ll only be a point to second and they’ll still be in the hunt. 

Defeat, however will leave them six adrift of the promotion places.

The sick list at Port-e-Chee is mounting - Owen Carvin, Ethan Kermode, Blake Snell and Criag Martin are all out and Jack Wallis is a doubt. 

On the plus side Liam Kirkpatrick, could return as could Mark Oldfield both of which would assist.

We’re not quite in “must win” territory yet but five points from this game would be a massive boost.

Nomads look to recover ground in Hartford Homes Manx Shield

Southern Nomads have for many years been the team to beat in domestic rugby, the mantle has slipped a little this season and five games into their Shield campaign they find themselves bottom of the standings and 20 points adrift of leaders Douglas Celts. 

This weekend they have a chance to redress that balance when Western Vikings visit Ballakilley Park.

Since the digitisation of fixtures these two have met 14 times with Nomads coming out winners on 13 of those. 

The only Vikings win though was this season on 25 October when the Vikings won 22-19 at QEII. 

The bigger Ballakilley pitch will come into play this week and should see a Nomads win.

Nomads have been without a fixture since a pre-Christmas friendly with Douglas Celts which ended in a 22-22 draw and while their various Junior age groups have had outings, the first XV has been a little short on game time. 

This means that while their may be a little rustiness, the players should be injury-free and reasonably well-rested. 

Vikings lost narrowly to Douglas in a Shield fixture two weeks ago so will be a little more up to speed.

Both sides have players to watch out for - for Nomads, look for the jiggery-pokery of veteran fly half Mark Young who has all the tricks; Outside of Young, the hard charging captain, Finn McGregor will be difficult to stop and the Craine brothers in the back three can bring a touch of finesse. 

Vikings have their men too - multi-positional skipper, Ed Knight is a proven try scorer and Harry Goodwin brings some league grittiness from Vagabonds.

This could be a tight game but Nomads should take the honours.

**

Fixtures

Saturday, 24 January 2026

Regional 2 North West

Burnage vs Douglas @ Burnage (2.15pm KO)

Hartford Homes Manx Shield

PDMS Southern Nomads vs Western Vikings @ Ballakilley Park (2.15pm KO)