Rugby: Double-header at home for Vagabonds teams

Ramsey to welcome Southern Nomads in Manx Shield

Report by Dave Christian:

Bottom side, Colne & Nelson visit Ballafletcher this week in Counties 3 ADM Lancashire/Cheshire. 

The Lancashire side lost both of their opening fixtures, albeit difficult ones and will be keen to make an impression. 

Vagabonds though will be buoyant after last week’s defeat of Oldham and will be targeting this game as a five-pointer. 

The two sides have met five times previously with Colne just edging the wins three to two, although 'Vagas' just sneaked the last meeting 26-24 back in March this year.

The Ballafletcher set piece scrum worked well last week against Oldham - to begin with they disrupted the flow of Oldham possession and at the end, even with Joe Louw off the field with injury, they delivered Matt Clowes a perfect launchpad to snatch the bonus point try. 

Assuming Louw shakes of his knock, the pack should be capable of upsetting Colne; outside the forwards, Dan Bonwick looked sharp at ten, Cal Donnell made his trademark crashes in the centre and out wide the evergreen Ste Gawne was using all his experience.

Vagabonds looked confident and capable and should bag some more points against a Colne side who haven’t yet produced.

First v second in Women's Rugby

With only one round of matches played in Womens NC2 North (West) its probably a tad early to label a game this way, but the two shining lights from round one were undoubtedly Winnington Park and Vagabonds who meet at Ballafletcher this Saturday. 

Vagabonds won big at Didsbury while Winnington Park walloped Southport 82-5. 

Winnington won both meetings last season and both were high-scoring affairs. 

They also finished just a single point above Vagabonds in the final standings, so on paper there’s little between them.

Vagabonds do have a not-so-secret secret weapon this time around - Isla Curphey is back, and back with a bang, she picked up four tries in the opening game and created space for Bea O’Neill and Freya Crowe. 

These three could be the difference for 'Vagas' this season, plus of course Maylyn Campbell if she appears, she was spotted in the crowd at Port-e-Chee last Saturday so could be available if selected.

On paper and previous results, Winnington Park should be the winners however, it remains to be seen whether the Curphey effect could upset the pecking order.

Ramsey host Nomads in Hartford Homes Manx Shield

After a short break to allow Nomads a shot at the Cheshire Plate, the Manx Shield resumes this week when Nomads visit the Mooragh Park. 

Dukinfield away was a tough draw for them and they almost won - the men in green led for large parts of the game and were just pipped at the end. 

Ramsey will need to take care even with home advantage.

There are no reported injuries in the Ramsey squad which racked up a big score at Western Vikings last time out - Jake Richmond and Conor Cracknell both picked up hat-tricks that day; the side has strength both in the forwards and the backs, Skipper Josh Corteen and fellow back rower Matt Meechan were on fine form and the midfield pairing of Keiran Kneale and Richmond were at times unplayable.

The Dukinfield result though shows that a full strength Nomads team are no mugs. 

Richard Seed at eight is one to watch and the pace of Alex Maher and Tony Quinn in the wide channels will always pick up tries. 

This has the makings of a close game with perhaps Ramsey just sneaking the win.

**

FIXTURES

Saturday, 10 October 2026

Counties 3 ADM Lancashire/Cheshire

Vagabonds vs Colne & Nelson (2.15pm KO @ Ballafletcher)

Women's NC2 North (West)

Vagabonds Ladies vs Winnington Park (12.30pm KO @ Ballafletcher)

Hartford Homes Manx Shield

Ramsey vs Southern Nomads (2.15pm KO @ Mooragh Park)

You can also listen to the full, extended interview with Manx Radio's rugby correspondent, looking at all of this weekend's rugby clashes on the latest episode of the 'In-Depth: Isle of Man Rugby Preview' which is available on demand on the Manx Radio SportsCast below: