Rugby: Douglas just pipped at Widnes

Both Vagabonds teams win whilst Southern Nomads book cup final place

Report by Dave Christian:

Douglas slipped to sixth place in Regional 2 North West when they lost 32-31 away at Widnes yesterday. 

Douglas did claim a useful two bonus points from the match, but the pressure is now on with just two games remaining to decide the promotion play off places.

Widnes led 17-10 at half time following tries from Ciaran O’Donnell and Lewis George with Liam McGovern converting both and adding a penalty. 

Douglas kept in touch with a try from Simon Hodinnott plus a penalty and a conversion from Nathan Robson.

In the second half Lewis George picked up his second and Tom O’Neill crossed too. 

McGovern converted one of these before sealing the win with a 74th-minute penalty. 

Douglas were ahead until then with skipper Liam Kirkpatrick bagging two tries, Robson converted both of these before scoring himself and converting that too.

Vagabonds beat minor conference league leaders

'Vagas beat' Colne & Nelson 26-24 at Ballafletcher to put themselves into third place in the Counties 3 ADM Lancashire/Cheshire Minor Conference League. 

Cam Findlay, Ben Kelly, Jake Dunsmore and Harry Goodwin all picked up tries for Vagabonds with Findlay converting three from four. 

The bonus point win sees Vagabonds just a point behind early leaders Colne & Nelson, although points from phase one of the league have yet to be carried over.

Vagabonds Ladies claim big away win

Vagabonds Ladies beat Aldwinians 38-10 to keep themselves just in the hunt for a promotion place in Womens NC2 North (South). 

The Bea O’Neill/Freya Crowe try factory was in full production mode for Vagabonds and made five tries between them – three from Bea and two from Freya. 

Becky Dunne chipped in with one and skipper Sammie Macdonald kicked four conversions.

Southern Nomads claim Manx Cup final place

Southern Nomads beat Ramsey 12-8 to set up a Manx Cup Final clash with Douglas Celts in the end of season finale.

Brayden Roche’s eleventh minute try put Ramsey ahead and a Dan Kelly penalty just before half time gave them an 8-0 lead at the break. 

Nomads, however had the better of the second half - Alex Maher’s try seven minutes in put them on the scoreboard. 

They were held up over the line twice as the half wore on and just when it looked like Ramsey were going to cling on, a late try from Nomads’ pace man, Tony Quinn put his side ahead, with Zack Hand converting.

**

Results

Saturday, 21 March, 2026

Regional 2 North West

Widnes 32-31 Douglas

Counties 3 ADM Lancashire/Cheshire Minor Conference League

Vagabonds 26-24 Colne & Nelson

Women's NC2 North (South)

Aldwinians 10-38 Vagabonds Ladies

Hartford Homes Manx Cup

PDMS Southern Nomads 12-8 Ramsey