Rugby: Rejuvenated Douglas heading to Glossop

New Brighton to pose big test for Vagabonds

Report by Dave Christian:

After recording back-to-back wins Douglas will look to consolidate when they head to Glossop this weekend in Regional 2 North West. Glossop currently sit in sixth place in the standings and have won six from eleven. Douglas are ninth having won three from eleven. Crucially though, Glossop won 33-25 at Port-e-Chee back in September and they may just have the edge on Douglas whose squad will now be affected by the vagaries of the Christmas party season.

With a full strength squad, Douglas could be right in this however they may well have their eyes on the clash with Vale of Lune on 17^th and could well keep their powder dry for that one.

Vagabonds face uphill task at New Brighton

Vagas head to second place New Brighton on Saturday in Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire and know the size of the job ahead of them. They lie bottom of the standings and are eight points adrift of their nearest rivals Port Sunlight. Coupled with that, they lost their home tie against New Brighton 64-7 back in October.

Vagas don’t have the worst defence in the Division, that honour is currently with Port Sunlight, however they’ve only managed 66 points in nine games at the other end and that lack of penetration is something which will be of concern to the management.

The squad is a fair mix of youth and experience and if they can weather the storm of this season they may develop naturally. Youngsters like Will Taylor and Cole Donnelly playing alongside the much more experienced Matt Rockwell, Paul Howard and Ross Pulman will eventually lead to improvement, it just takes time. Expect a New Brighton win here.

Intra-club day in Ravenscroft Manx Shield

Ramsey’s Reds & Blues and Nomads’ Whites and Greens face off against each other this week in the Shield.

At Ballakilley Nomads v Nomads is always a tasty affair while at Ramsey, the earlier Reds v Blues clash was as compelling as it was attritional. We may not see fifteen aside at these matches given the stage of the season we’re at, but you will find passion and commitment at unexpected levels.

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Fixtures

Saturday, 3 December 

Regional 2 North West

Glossop v Douglas @ Glossop ko 2.15pm

Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire

New Brighton v Vagabonds @ New Brighton ko 1.30pm

Ravenscroft Manx Shield all ko @ 2.15pm

Castletown A-W Western Vikings

Emerging Nomads v Southern Nomads

Ramsey v Ramsey B