Rugby: Douglas leave it late to take opening day win

Vagabonds and Ramsey both lose out on the road

Report by Dave Christian:

It took a stoppage time penalty try for Douglas to claim maximum points against new boys North Ribblesdale, but with five points safely in the bag they won’t mind that.

When Matty Woods bagged the opener for Douglas after eleven minutes and added the conversion, hopes were high among the Port-e-Chee faithful. 

'Ribb' however hit back ten minutes later when wing Jack Hutchinson touched down and Tom Davidson added the extras to level the game at 7-7 where it stayed until half time.

Douglas forged ahead early in the second half with an Ollie Corkish try and when Blake Snell dived in just after the hour and Nathan Robson converted, Douglas were 19-7 in front. 

'Ribb' then staged a revival - Davidson struck a penalty to reduce the deficit; Ed Bradley burrowed under a pile of bodies to make it 19-15 and with just four minutes remaining Hennie Jansen van Rensburg raced in. 

Davidson’s conversion saw 'Ribb' leading 22-19 with precious little left on the clock, Douglas however rallied and a string of penalties close to the Ribb line earned them the match winning penalty try.

Ramsey edged out at Congleton

Ramsey led 13-17 at half time in their comeback game but were closed out 33-20 by Congleton in the second half.

Jacob Corteen gave Ramsey an early lead but Congleton hit back to lead 7-5. 

A try from Ben Hardman and a Brandon Atchison penalty saw Ramsey retake the lead which they held till half time. 

Congleton came back strongly in the second half and added three unanswered scores to lead 26-13 after an hour. 

Skipper Josh Corteen clawed one back for Ramsey and Atchison’s conversion saw them trailing by six points, but a late converted score by Congleton dashed any hopes of a comeback.

Vagabonds beaten at Burnley

Vagas lost their opener 24-0 against a tough Burnley side. 

The game was cut short following a serious injury to a Burnley player and the result was declared after an hour. 

'Vagas' have a few niggly injuries but nothing serious and travel to Congleton next Saturday.

**

Results 6 September

Regional 2 North West

Douglas 26-22 North Ribblesdale

Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire

Congleton 33-20 Ramsey

Burnley 24-0 Vagabonds