Rugby: Table-topping Douglas head to West Park

Vikings face Celts in Manx Shield

Report by Dave Christian:

Table-topping Douglas travel to West Park (St Helens) this Saturday in Regional 2 North West. 

Douglas are sitting nicely at the top of the table with a game in hand but the hard work starts here. 

They’ve made themselves a target and any sign of slacking off is likely to be punished.

West Park sit in ninth with three wins from ten outings and those have come against the three sides below them. 

Douglas, meanwhile have lost just once and even then they were leading into the final ten minutes. 

There are plenty of tough games ahead for Phil Cringle’s men but in theory, West Park is not one of the toughest and they should bring home the bacon from this one.

Vagabonds face league leaders, Ramsey at Dukinfield

After last week’s 0-0 draw with Ramsey, Vagabonds return to reality in Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire this week when league leaders Bury visit Ballafletcher. 

Bury didn’t have the game they were after last week - they were 19-0 up against Burnley when the match was abandoned after a serious injury to a Burnley player. 

They do, however remain three points clear at the top of the standings and still boast the most potent attack, averaging over fifty points per game. 

They have just one defeat which was against Fleetwood two weeks ago.

Statistically, Bury have met 'Vagas' twice over the years with Bury ahead three games to one including conceded match last season and win at Ballafletcher. 

They just missed out on the promotion places last season but look well placed to give it another shot this time around.

Vagabonds, though were tough last week - the defence was excellent especially at the set-piece and while the weather made scoring almost impossible, they kept plugging away. 

Theo Head looks to have a combination of pace and skill and with him running from full-back, he’ll create doubt around him which the rest of the squad will look to exploit. 

This will be a toughie though - Burnley are top for a reason.

The other half of last week’s nil-nil draw are Ramsey and they head to Dukinfield for what appears on paper to be a slightly easier game, if such a thing exists at Dukinfield! 

They’ve only won three from eight but that includes a home defeat of third-placed Ashton-Under-Lyne and on the losses side, they lost by just three points against second placed Oldham. 

They’re likely to be at full strength for this one so it will be very hard for Ramsey.

The Northerners are still without Jake Richmond, Josh Leece, Kyle Shnier, Ffinlo Corkill and Jake Severs and are likely to call on some of their university students to help plug the games. 

Joey Callow, Luke Ward and Nathan Brew could be getting s shout this week as Ramsey look for a first win of the season.

Vikings face Celts in Hartford Homes Manx Shield

Western Vikings host Douglas Celts in the Manx Shield this weekend looking to close the gap at the top. 

Douglas have a 100 per cent record with three wins from three and are nine points clear of second place Western Vikings.

The Celts have an enviable squad to select from including some players who are hoping to grab first team spots with Douglas’ league side. 

George Antill, Zak Wickman and Kudzai Chenda, have all appeared; throw in some more experienced, older heads like Conor McCaughen and Aaron Mason and you have a formidable side.

Vikings have a small squad which hasn’t been helped with Ed Knight and Harry Goodwin appearing for Vagabonds and the Callisters, Juan and Harvey for Ramsey. 

They are however willing and enthusiastic but perhaps not quite strong enough to take the Celts.

**

Fixtures 

Saturday, 6 December 2025

Regional 2 North West

West Park (St Helens) v Douglas @ West Park (1.30pm KO)

Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire

Dukinfield v Ramsey @ Dukinfield (12.30pm KO)

Vagabonds v Bury @ Ballafletcher (KO TBC)

Hartford Homes Manx Shield

Western Vikings v Douglas Celts @ QEII (2.15pm KO)