Rugby: Make or break for Douglas in play-off quest?

Elsewhere, Ramsey and Vagabonds both on the road in Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire

Report by Dave Christian:

With just two games left, Douglas face something of an uphill task to make the playoffs in Regional Two North West. 

They sit sixth at the moment and are two points adrift of fifth-placed Widnes and three adrift of fourth-placed Burnage. 

This weekend Douglas face a home tie against West Park St Helens while Widnes are away at struggling Northwich and Burnage are entertaining champions elect North Ribblesdale. 

There are, of course many permutations in play, however Douglas probably need a win and a bonus point to give themselves the best chance.

Ethan Kermode could be fit again for the second row which will help and deliver a selection headache for the back row where coach Phil Cringle has an embarrassment of riches with Liam Kirkpatrick, Mark Oldfield, Blake Everson, Harry Cartwight and Ian Larson all vying for a berth. 

The back line is perhaps a little more settled and has the punch to make line breaks and the wide pace to finish them off too.

West Park sneaked the reverse fixture by two points back in December and kick-started the run of disappointing results Douglas have had, this could be a good omen for Douglas this week.

Ramsey and Vagabonds on the road

The two Manx sides in Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire Minor Conference both hit the road this weekend - Ramsey travel to leaders Colne & Nelson whilst Vagabonds head for Ormskirk.

In phase one of Counties 3, Ramsey were on course to finish bottom after an indifferent start to their return league season. 

As the competition wore on though, Colne & Nelson had a speed-wobble of their own and were deducted points for failing to fulfil fixtures. 

Now phase two has started, Colne find themselves temporarily at the top of the standings, despite losing at Ballafletcher last week. 

When the two sides met in phase one, Colne took the honours in a high scoring 48-34 win.

Ramsey have stuttered in their last few games - Jake Richmond, Jacob Corteen, Brandon Atchison and Joe Flanagan have all had recent absences; skipper, Josh Corteen is nursing a hamstring niggle too, so this weekend will be a little tester for the squad.

The team’s youngsters are pulling their weight though - Dan Kelly has been outstanding at scrum half; the unrelated Josh Kelly had a solid forty minutes last week until a knee knock took him off and Garion Daniel was also in top shape. 

Depending on the sick list, Ramsey could have a good go at Colne.

'Vagas' currently sit in third and are in striking distance of the top for now. 

Ormskirk, however have lost both their opening games and are bottom of the pile. 

They beat Vagabonds as recently as January and have won 13 from 19 against Vagabonds historically.

Like Ramsey, this game will depend on who is fit and/or available to travel.

'Vagas' propm Joe Louw is unlikely to feature but the trio of Reece De Oliveira, Matt Rockwell and Lewis Houton-Cassela are fronting up; Dan Bonwick is back in just about any position you want him and Cam Findlay has been in good shape with the ball in hand of off the tee. 

Vagabonds have the potential to beat Ormskirk if everyone can travel.

Vagabonds Ladies face Macclesfield

'Macc' are the visitors to Ballafletcher this week in what could be an interesting tie. 

Vagabonds are eight points off the promotion places with three to play, Macclesfield are just above them but have played one game more so a Vagabonds win could see them narrow the gap. 

Additionally, the top two sides (Sale and Winnington Park) face each other on Sunday, so a Vagabonds win on Saturday could see the cat among the proverbial pigeons.

Vagabonds celebrated this week with four more county call-ups to their impressive record - Becka Hicks, Freya Crowe and Ros McNair join the recalled Leona McGovern for Cheshire training. 

They join an impressive back catalogue which includes Kathryn Craine and Isla Curphey who are both playing in the top echelons of the women's game in England.

The two sides have only met once - that was in January where Macclesfield took the honours 43-27. 

'Vagas'' at home however should be a different prospect - Freya Crowe and Bea O’Neill have both been scoring prolifically and the back line which includes McGovern and McNair will take some stopping.

Manx Cup final rehearsal - round one

Southern Nomads and Douglas Celts will know each other very well before the end of this season, they meet this weekend in the Hartford Holmes Manx Shield before two meetings in the Cup, one of which is the final.

Nomads were in ruthless form last week - they trailed Ramsey 8-0 at half time but never stopped believing they could win the game. 

The forward pack struggled early on but gradually regained composure and they made the right replacement calls at the right times. 

Tony Quinn was obviously the match winner last week but he applied the finish to the efforts put in by his pack who had toiled a little.

Douglas are capable of fielding an exceptionally strong side, however injuries to the first team - who are at a crucial stage of their season - may well mean they’re a little weaker this week.

Both sides have league scalps now and this should be a close run thing.

Fixtures

Saturday, 28 March 2026

Regional 2 North West

Douglas vs West Park (St Helens) @ Port-e-Chee (2pm KO)

Counties 3 ADM Lancashire/Cheshire

Ormskirk vs Vagabonds @ Ormskirk (1pm KO)

Colne & Nelson vs Ramsey @ Colne & Nelson (1pm KO)

Women's NC2 North (South)

Vagabonds Ladies vs Macclesfield @ Ballafletcher (1pm KO)

Hartford Homes Manx Shield

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