Rugby: Douglas and Widnes to meet in battle for play-offs

Southern Nomads hunting for Manx Cup final place

Report by Dave Christian:

Douglas need a top-five finish to bag a play-off place in Regional 2 North West and head to Widnes this weekend in pole position. 

Douglas are fifth with Widnes sixth and just a point behind so this game is carrying a lot. 

Douglas have also won the last two meetings so should have a little confidence despite recent results.

There are however some personnel problems to content with - Skipper, Blake Snell has a non-rugby hand injury and Ethan Kermode is unable to travel. 

There is of course some good news too - Liam Kirkpatrick returns from injury and Simon Hodinnott from holiday and these two big players should offset the loss of Snell. 

The back line looks a little more settled and with the possibility of Craig Martin joining the squad, they should have plenty of punch out wide.

Vagabonds return to action at Ballafletcher

Vagabonds are back at Ballafletcher this weekend when the visitors are Colne & Nelson in Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire Minor League Conference.

With the conference starting to take shape, Colne find themselves in second place after two very narrow wins. 

Their last meeting with 'Vagas' at Ballafletcher however was a 36-17 defeat back in March 2025. 

The two were due to meet in phase one of Counties 3 but the game has been postponed with no date yet fixed, it’s possible that it may not be played at all if the result doesn’t count for a title win and with neither team likely to have a shot at the conference title, this seems a distinct possibility.

Vagabonds opened up with a solid win against Ramsey and appeared to be on the ascendency. 

They did, however just lose out at Congleton last week 19-14, Colne have beaten both Hoylake and Dukinfield in the conference and only for points deducted in phase one, could have been challengers.

Home advantage should give 'Vagas' the luxury of some additional players - Cam Findlay was missing from last week as was Gavin Turnbull, to have that pair back would be a bonus; they also missed Theo Head and Ed Knight, Head picked up a knock against Ramsey last month and hopefully he’s now had a chance to recover.

With the home crowd behind them, Vagabonds have a good chance to take maximum points.

Vagabonds Ladies head to Aldwinians

Vagabonds won their home game against Aldwinians in Womens NC2 North (South) by just 10-0 back in December. 

The Manchester side have won just two so far this season but they’re far from out of it, they beat Didsbury who lie just above them in the standings and they also ran Winnington Park to within five and Macclesfield to 11. 

This suggests that form is improving towards the end of the season and the fixture could prove tricky for 'Vagas'.

The girls beat Bury by a handsome score two weeks ago with the heavy-hitters doing all the damage and new star Bea O’Neill grabbing a hat-trick and Freya Crowe and Corinna Daly two each in a 62-8 win. 

The math is against Vagabonds snatching a promotion place though - they’re 13 points adrift of Macclesfield who they face next week at Ballafletcher. 

Two wins would make life interesting in the final games and that must start with a win on the road on Saturday.

Southern Nomads look to qualify for Manx Cup final

Southern Nomads host Ramsey at Ballakilley on Saturday knowing that a win will confirm them a space in the 2026 Manx Cup Final. 

Ramsey have played two and lost two with no championship points at all. 

Nomads have won their only game so far and have two attempts to get themselves past the six-point automatic qualification point. 

Even a defeat against Ramsey with two bonus points would be enough, however they do face likely face rivals, Douglas Celts on 25 April which gives them a second shot.

League opposition won’t faze Nomads at all as they’ve already beaten Vagabonds in the competition - they have a team of grafters and while the big names will hoover up the points the unsung heroes up front will beaver away to create the opportunities.

Sam Kennaugh and Brian Skillicorn in the front row and Clayton Matthews in the back row will always work and with Dick Seed acting as the strike runner they can break the defensive line easily.

Ramsey have had a week off to recover from a big game away at Orrell but are likely to miss out on Jake Richmond who still has a shoulder niggle; Will Millsopp couldn’t make the Orrell trip and should be back and Conor Cracknell may also be available.

On paper, this could be a close game and Nomads could just sneak a rare win against the northerners.

**

Fixtures

Saturday, 21 March, 2026

Regional 2 North West

Widnes vs Douglas @ Widnes (1.30pm KO)

Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire Minor Conference League

Vagabonds vs Colne & Nelson @ Ballafletcher (1.30pm KO)

Women's NC2 North (South)

Aldwinians vs Vagabonds Ladies @ Aldwinians (KO TBC)

Hartford Homes Manx Cup

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