Rugby: Ramsey on the road at Hoylake in Cheshire Plate

Southern Nomads to welcome Douglas Celts in Manx Shield

Report by Dave Christian:

Ramsey head for Hoylake this weekend for their quarter final of the Cheshire Plate. 

Hoylake play in the same Counties 3 ADM Lancashire/Cheshire league as Vagabonds and currently sit in fifth place with three wins from seven, although one of those was a walk-over.  

They have no other notable results this season and don’t meet 'Vagas' until nearer Christmas. 

They are of, course no strangers to Ramsey who beat them at the Mooragh Park Last season before getting drilled 45-3 in the return leg which also served as the Cheshire Bowl Final.

Ramsey didn’t enter the league system this season on cost grounds and have played fewer games. 

This is however a two edged sword - while the players may not be fully match fit, they should be better rested. 

That said, given the choice, most coaches would prefer the players to be fully match fit.

Ramsey welcome back two of their youngsters for the trip - Dan Kelly returns from a family holiday as does Josh Kelly, both guested for Vikings last Saturday with prop, Josh bagging his first senior try. 

He’s likely to pack down alongside Ben Hardman and Adam Dunlop in a tough front row; Josh Corteen and Matt Meechan make up the core of an effective back row and the centre pairing of Jake Richmond and Kieran Kneale is highly effective. 

Much will depend of the Ramsey squad being able to travel, if all their key players are good to go, they have a chance to take this.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Nomads meet Celts in Manx Shield

For the second week running Southern Nomads are hosting the only game to take place on Island when they take on Douglas Celts in the Hartford Homes Manx Shield. 

Ramsey currently head the standings but the Celts beat them in week one and haven’t played since, wins in their two games in hand could see then take pole position.

Nomads looked in tip-top form last Saturday and swept Western Vikings away with an astonishing 14-try performance. 

Tries came from all over the squad too - Nathan Page, Stan Cubbon and Seb Meechan have pace perfectly suited for finishing. 

Sean Christian was wearing the ten jersey like he stole it and was just shy of a thirty point game.

Douglas have a blend of youth and experience, but the game should go Nomads’ way on the day.

**

FIXTURES

Saturday, 14 November 2026

Cheshire Plate

Hoylake vs Ramsey (1.45pm KO @ Carham Road)

Hartford Homes Manx Shield

Southern Nomads vs Douglas Celts (2.15pm KO @ Ballakilley Park)