Rugby: Douglas face crunch tie in pursuit of play-offs

Celts with chance to wrap up Manx Shield title this weekend

Report by Dave Christian:

Douglas travel to newly-crowned champions North Ribblesdale on Saturday knowing that they need three points to guarantee them a place in the promotion play-offs in Regional 2 North West. 

A disastrous run of results since December saw Douglas plummet from top spot to just outside the play-offs until a big win a fortnight ago, together with some fortunate results elsewhere, threw them a lifeline.

They currently sit fourth on 62 points, Burnage are fifth on 60 and Widnes are sixth on 59. 

Burnage travel to third-placed Sandbach on Saturday while Widnes have a home tie against close rivals, Birkenhead Park.  

On paper, this should be wins for Sandbach and Widnes but the league is so unpredictable it’s impossible to say. 

If Douglas do pick up three or more points however, they’re guaranteed a spot. 

They beat North Ribblesdale in week one so its very much in the realms of possibility.

Ramsey and Vagabonds both at home in Counties 3

In the Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire Minor Conference both Ramsey and Vagabonds have home ties - Ramsey face Ormskirk at the Mooragh while Vagabonds entertain Hoylake at Ballafletcher.

Ramsey and Ormskirk met back in October at the Mooragh and trailed 30-5 at half time before a second half fight back saw the game finish 42-24 to the visitors. 

Josh Corteen’s men have since picked up a couple of wins but have struggled with injuries for the past month - Corteen himself has had a niggly hamstring; Jake Richmond has a shoulder knock; Ffinlo Corkill a broken cheekbone and hooker Ben Hardman another shoulder problem. 

Micheal Flynn will also be missing this week so a Hardman return would be welcome news for the front row. 

Ormskirk haven’t gone as well as expected in the conference though - they lost at Dukinfield and at home to Hoylake. Depending on personnel, this could be an opportunity for Ramsey.

Hoylake could be a lucky omen for 'Vagas' - they picked up their first points of the season in a 19-19 draw away at Hoylake back in November. 

Hoylake have since picked up a little and are probably favourites to take the conference title, they’re unbeaten so far and in second place, however, leaders Colne & Nelson will fall off when points from phase one are carried over and could leave Hoylake in pole position.

Vagabonds are gathering momentum - they’ve beaten Ramsey and Colne & Nelson plus they only just lost out at Congleton. 

They were nine points adrift of Hoylake in phase one so the odds are against them but with only two games remaining there’s still a chance, as long as they win this one. 

The squad has been performing well too - Skipper Daniel Bonwick is back to his best, Cam Findlay is kicking well and youngster Jake Dunsmore had taken his chance in the first team with two tries in two games, this could be 'Vagas'' game.

Douglas Celts on for Hartford Homes Manx Shield win

It’s the Celts' final fixture in the Manx Shield this Saturday when they take on Western Vikings at Ballafletcher. 

A single point from the game would probably be enough for the Celts and any more than that will definitely give them the title, they’ve lost just two so far and would deserve the win.

They do, however have to beat Vikings first - Ed Knight’s men have run the Celts close once already and will be no pushovers. 

Knight and Harry Goodwin both have league experience with Vagabonds and Juan and Harvey Callister with Ramsey so there’s plenty of snap in the squad depending on who is available. 

The Celts though, led by Percy Hampton, have experience too and from a little higher up the pecking order and should be too strong on the day.

**

Fixtures

Saturday, 11 April 2026

Regional 2 North West

North Ribblesdale vs Douglas @ North Ribblesdale (2.30pm KO)

Counties 3 ADM Lancashire/Cheshire Minor Conference League

Ramsey vs Ormskirk @ Mooragh Park (1pm)

Vagabonds vs Hoylake @ Ballafletcher (12.30pm KO)

Hartford Homes Manx Shield

Western Vikings vs Douglas Celts @ Ballafletcher (2.15pm KO)