Rugby: Douglas and Vagabonds to conclude league campaigns this weekend

Both facing tough opposition in final 2024/25 league season outings

Report by Dave Christian:

Douglas host Firwood Waterloo at Port-e-Chee on Saturday to bring down the curtain on their Regional 2 North West season. 

Waterloo are placed second at present but with only four points splitting the top three, they’ll be bringing their best side. 

Leaders Bowdon are a point clear of Waterloo at the top and have a much better points difference so just a win will suffice for them, Waterloo need a bonus point win at Douglas and with third-place Sandbach breathing down their necks, a defeat could see them drop to third.

Douglas are looking for sixth place which would be their best ever finish at this level. 

They’re locked together with Altrincham Kersal at present but with 'Kersal' at home against a struggling Winnington Park, Douglas have to match their result to keep the place. 

This of course is easier said than done when playing Waterloo and Douglas lost the away leg 33-0 back in September.

There were no reported injuries following last week’s Manx Cup game with Southern Nomads so Douglas should be pretty much at full strength and with good weather forecast this could be a cracking game.

A final fling for Vagabonds in Salford

After a gruelling three months Vagabonds reach the end of their Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire fixture list this Saturday. 

Its not the easiest of trips to De La Salle in Salford, however on the back of a stunning performance last week the squad should have a little spring in their step and the task will seem slightly less daunting.

De La Salle were in with a shout of the league title but their failure to get a try bonus point last Saturday confirmed Garstang as champions. 

De La Salle are second and have a three-point advantage over third-place Bury plus a game in hand. 

Bury travel to Colne & Nelson and need at least a win to overhaul De La Salle.

After their defeat at 'Vagas' last week Colne & Nelson are now unable to finish in the top two.

'Vagas' met De La Salle at Ballafletcher way back in October and lost 57-21 - while there’s been no sea change in form for Vagabonds, that win last week might just inspire them if the same squad can make the trip. 

The front five all grafted in the tight game and dominated at scrum time - Matty Jones and Tom Gascoyne combined well in the back row and the centre partnership of Bonwick and Donnell were hard hitting in defence and powerful in attack, with Donnell bagging two tries.

De La Salle lost at home to Colne 30-15 as recently as 8 February - the coaching staff at Ballafletcher will have seen this result and will be urging the squad to pick up where they left off last Saturday.

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