Rugby: Douglas head to Vale of Lune for play-off challenge

Vagabonds Ladies and Ramsey face final home games of season

Report by Dave Christian:

Douglas finished the regular season in fifth place, their highest league placing in almost 50 years. 

They still have a shot at promotion but first there’s a small matter of two play-off matches. 

This week they face Vale of Lune in the first of these winner-takes-all games - Douglas beat Vale at Port-e-Chee in the regular season, but lost away 26-17, the home win and the closeness of the away defeat will spur Douglas on.

The team selected is pretty close to the side that lost at North Ribblesdale last week but with some subtle tweaking - Owen Carvin comes in at prop and Craig McGee at lock with Harry Carwright switching to centre; Matty Wood picked up a knock last week but remains on the bench and Craig Martin replaces the injured Oli Corkish on the wing.

The winner of this game will face the winner of the other play-off between Sandbach and Widnes. 

Douglas are capable of beating Vale but need to show up with the right mindset.

Ramsey face Congleton in final home game

Congleton visit the Mooragh Park this week in Ramsey’s penultimate league match of the season and their final home game. 

The Northerners’ season has been both disappointing and encouraging - it’s their first season back in the league since covid and results have been hard to come by. 

The standard of play and effort from the players has by and large been very good and if the structured fixtures fall well for them, next season should see further improvement.

Ramsey lost 33-20 away to Congleton in week one of the season and with home advantage they’ll fancy their chance in this one, they were just edged out by Ormskirk last week and will be keen to give the home support something to cheer about. 

Jake Richmond’s shoulder is fit again and Brandon Atchison returns; however, Kieran Kneale is unavailable; a reshuffle has taken place with Scott Kneale moving to scrum half, Dan Kelly to full back and this leaves the Richmond/Atchison partnership space to return at centre; up fron, Micheal Flynn should be back too to bolster front row options.

The two sides have met 13 times historically with Ramsey ahead eight five on wins. 

Congleton have, however, ominously won the last three meetings.

Vagabonds Ladies also with final home outing

While it’s unlikely that 'Vagas' will trouble the promotion places, they still have a mathematical chance in Womens NC2 North (South) and they face Didsbury Toc H at Ballafletcher this week. 

Didsbury are just five behind Vagabonds in the standings but have a game in hand, Vagabonds lie fourth and are just three points away from third and five away from second. 

Maximum points from this game could see them in the frame but with a final game away at leaders, Sale.

The two sides have met five times previously with Didsbury winning all five - the most recent meeting, however was in January and Vagabonds were only eight points adrift, which is encouraging, especially with Vagabonds' unbeaten since February.

The 'Vagas' success has been down to teamwork - Freya Crowe and Bea O’Neill have caught the headlines but their chances have come from the graft put in around the park; Maisie Murray has been a strong carrier; Leona McGovern straightening the line will always create gaps and Lauren Ellison’s controlled kicking has given good field position. 

If the Vagabonds machine clicks on Saturday, they should pick up the win they need.

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Fixtures

Saturday, 18 April 2026

Regional 2 North West Play-Offs

Vale of Lune vs Douglas @ Vale of Lune (3pm KO)

Counties 3 ADM Lancashire/Cheshire Minor Conference League

Ramsey vs Congleton @ Mooragh Park (12.30pm KO)

Women's NC2 North (South)

Vagabonds Ladies vs Didsbury Toc H @ Ballafletcher (2pm KO)