Rugby: Douglas keep playoff hopes alive

Much needed 31 point victory for Island side

Results 

Saturday, 28 March

Regional 2 North West

Douglas 43-12 West Park St Helens

Counties 3 ADM Lancashire/Cheshire Minor Conference

Ormskirk 48-22 Vagabonds

Colne & Nelson 53-14 Ramsey

Womens NC2 North (South)

Vagabonds 36-17 Macclesfield

Hartford Homes Manx Shield

PDMS Southern Nomads 27-10 Douglas Celts

Report by Dave Christian: 

Douglas claim maximum points

Douglas delivered a 43-12 win against West Park St Helens to keep themselves in the hunt for a place in the Regional 2 North West promotion play offs. 

Close rivals Widnes slipped up away at Northwich and Burnage lost at home to champions North Ribblesdale which means Douglas are fourth and in pole position with one game to play.

A hat trick from prop Si Hoddinott was the highlight of Douglas’ afternoon with supporting tries from Zak Wickman, Matty Wood and Liam Kirkpatrick plus five conversions and a penalty from Natham Robson.

Ramsey and Vagabonds both lose in Counties 3

Ramsey and Vagabonds both lost on the road in Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire Minor Conference. Ramsey went down 53-14 at Colne & Nelson while Vagas lost 48-22 at Ormskirk.

Ramsey were struggling with an injury list and just managed to get fifteen for their game. League leaders Colne were however unsympathetic and their bonus point win takes them five clear at the top. 

Kieran Kneale and Brayden Roche both went over for Ramsey tries with Dan Kelly adding the extras.

Vagas had a similar result at Ormskirk but did manage four tries to collect a bonus point. 

Skipper Dan Bonwick bagged two for Vagas with Gav Turnbull adding one and Jake Dunsmore picking up his second in two games. 

Cam Findlay topped up the scoreboard with his trusty boot.

Vagas Ladies win big

Vagabonds kept the pressure on the leaders in Womens NC2 North (South) with a 36-17 win against Macclesfield at Ballafletcher.

The visitors took the lead through Lucy Wainwright in the first minute. 

Vagas hit back with tries from Corinna Daly, Freya Crowe and Lauren Ellison all converted by Sammie Macdonald. 

Wainwright raced in for her second for Macclesfield and Mel Bramley’s conversion left the Vagas lead 21-12 at half time.

In the second half Greeba Taisia and Ros McNair both crossed for Vagas to make the game safe and a try from Bea O’Neill with four to play was icing on the cake. 

Macclesfield battled to the end though and scrum half Siobhan Ardern picked up a late consolation try.

Southern Nomads go top in Hartford Homes Manx Shield

Nomads beat Douglas Celts 27-10 at Ballakilley Park to go top in the Manx Shield. Douglas however have a game left against Western Vikings and still look favourites to take the Shield.

Josh Linwood and Andy Lean both crossed for Nomads in the first half with Zac Hand converting one which saw Nomads lead 12-5 at the break. 

Zac Hand scored for Nomads in the second half to extend the lead and Andy Lean’s second secured the try bonus point with Hand converting. 

A late penalty from Mark Young kept Douglas at arm’s length.