Vagabonds Ladies travel to Eccles this weekend
Report by Dave Christian:
There are no easy games in Regional 2 North West. Categorising fixtures would probably involve a scale running from eminently winnable to outside chance. When league leaders Anselmians visit Port-e-Chee this weekend, the match is most definitely at the outside chance end of the scale.
The Wirral club has won 12 from 14 and holds a five point lead at the top of the table with a game in hand. Unsurprisingly they have the most potent attack and the meanest defence. They’ve scored four or more tries on 12 occasions and their two defeats (away at Bowdon and Waterloo) have both been by less than 7 points. Anselmians won 75-7 in the away game too.
That said, Douglas are improving gradually and with home advantage they should narrow the gap comfortably. Rob Todd returns after a week off to bolster the forwards ad Aiden O’Shea is expected to be available to give a pleasant selection headache in the back line. At full strength Douglas will be competitive for sure.
Vagabonds Ladies on the road at Eccles
After a big home defeat last week Vagas travel to Eccles in Women’s NC1 North West. While they were steam-rollered by the league leaders they definitely showed pockets of resistance and score two well deserved tries in the process. Vagas are however likely to be missing the scorer of one of those Corrina Daly who broke a finger during the game.
Vagas have won all three previous meetings with Eccles including this season where they won 30-14 at Ballafletcher. This should on paper be a Vagas win and if they recapture some of the spirit from the Southport game last week they will be successful.
Round two of new-look Ravenscroft Manx Trophy
There are two venues in play this Saturday in Round Two of the Ravenscroft Manx Trophy. At the Mooragh Park Ramsey’s Reds take on Southern Nomads Greens and the Eastern Barbarians while at QEII, Western Vikings meet Castletown and Southern Nomads Whites.
The Reds took the honours at Poulsom Park last week with a big win over Castletown but under the points structure for the competition they get just the three. The home advantage this week gives them a chance of a six pointer. They’ll have their work cut out though. Nomads youngsters Tom Collister and Tony Quinn have pace aplenty in the back row and Orry Watterson has recovered from a knee knock to return to the fray. Nomads are also paired with the Eastern Barbarians this week and with Vagabonds first team having a much-needed week off from league action the Baa Baas may be a little stronger than usual.
Western Vikings picked up a useful three last week too and they get a shot at a six pointer this Saturday when Nomads Whites and Castletown come to town. Vikings have a direct pack of forwards and a back line which is capable if a little underused. Nomads Whites and Castletown should give them a decent challenge on the little pitch at the QEII.
**
Fixtures - 21 January
Regional 2 North West
Douglas v Anselmians @ Port-e-Chee KO @ 1.15pm
Women’s NC1 North West
Eccles v Vagabonds @ Eccles KO tbc
Ravenscroft Manx Trophy (KO @ 2.15pm)
Western Vikings, Castletown & Southern Nomads Whites @ QE2 School
Ramsey Reds, Southern Nomads Greens & Eastern Barbarians @ Mooragh Park
Football: Huge Div 2 title showdown between Onchan and Foxdale
Honda to only run Superstock machines at North West 200
Rugby: Southern Nomads U15's win Cheshire Junior Shield
Lee Johnston won't race at North West 200
Athletics: Top-20 finishes for Lockley and Kelly
Football: Foxdale heading to the premier league
