Rugby: Two games in Ravenscroft Manx Bowl

Report by Dave Christian

The Manx Trophy competition takes a rest week this Saturday, but the Manx Bowl competition continues unabated, with the five-team league set-up providing a natural break each week without the need for defined breaks. There are two fixtures on the card for Saturday. Ramsey B make the trip to Poulsom Park to face Castletown while Western Vikings cross the Island to visit Vagabonds Hornets.
 
In American football parlance Castletown are 0-2 for the season having lost their two opening games. Neither were drubbings though and Town will be confident on home turf. Ramsey won last season’s meeting by four points at 21-17, so a close game could be on the cards. Ramsey have only played the one fixture so far which resulted in an impressive win away at Vagas Hornets and they could well be the team to watch this season, although it may be a little early to tell just yet. Players to watch this week are likely to be Kunal Patel for Town who scored last week and perhaps Kyle Kenyon for Ramsey who was impressive against Vagabonds.
 
Bowl holders Vagabonds Hornets will need to pick themselves up from that week one defeat if they want to get back on track. A second defeat this early would make it difficult for them to challenge at the top. In the Vagas back line, Danny Kane looked sharp against Ramsey as did Rob Pease. For Vikings, the Goodwin brothers Jack and Harry provide some power in the pack and excellent carrying around the park. Vikings though were beaten twice by Vagas last season and will need to up the ante to win this one.
 
Fixtures - 16 October
North One West
Glossop v Douglas @ Glossop
 
Ravenscroft Manx Bowl
Castletown v Ramsey B @ Poulsom Park ko 2:15pm
Vagabonds Hornets v Western Vikings @ Ballafletcher ko 2:15pm