Rugby: Vagabonds Ladies to begin new campaign

Douglas back at home and Manx Shield returns

Report by Dave Christian:

With the men taking a week off, Vagabonds Ladies raise the curtain on their season with a new look league including some new opposition too. 

'Vagas' are in Women's Northern Conference Division 2 North - the division is split geographically into three sections of North, Central and South. 

Vagabonds find themselves in the South section which gives the rather unusual looking title of Women's NC2 North (South). 

There are some old favourites in the line up, however in Aldwinians, Macclesfield and this week’s opponents Sale FC 1861 2^nd XV, there are a few new match ups for 'Vagas'.

Sale FC 1861 rose from the ashes of Sale FC following the set up of Sale sharks - their ladies first XV are now well up the women’s rugby ladder but as recently as 2019-20 they were in Vagabonds’ league and boasted former Vagabond, Kathryn Craine in their line up. 

This however is their Ladies 2^nd XV and may not be quite as powerful although they will be sharing training sessions and should be well organised.

Vagabonds finished mid-table last season but were only two wins away from a promotion place. 

Narrow losses to Bury, Eccles and Leigh should however provide much encouragement. 

Last season the forwards were solid with Maylyn Campbell showing everyone the way; outside of the pack, Becky Dunne steered the ship from fly half and Freya Crowe had raw pace out on the wing. 

If the squad can generate consistency of team selection this season, they have a great chance of finishing at the sharp end.

Speaking to Manx Radio this week, Vagabonds Ladies coach, Jack Caine and player, Freya Crowe say everyone is looking forward to the latest campaign:

Douglas face Altrincham Kersal

After last week’s defeat at Sandbach Douglas return to Port-e-Chee this week where they’ll face Altrincham Kersal in Regional 2 North West. 

As it's only two games into the new season it’s a little too early to label any of the sides however statistically, Kersal have played two and lost two, plus both games were at home. 

This suggests that they may well be strugglers this season notwithstanding that both games were very close and yielded two losing bonus points. 

Historically, the clubs have met on 12 previous occasions with Kersal winning the match ups 7-4 with one drawn game. 

Kersal also won the most recent encounter 33-24 back in January.

Home advantage will count for a bit although the forecast weather conditions could be a leveller. 

Douglas’s squad selection has been consistent for the first two games with few changes and the return of lynchpin prop Simon Hodinnot. 

If coach Phil Cringle can maintain this consistency, they should pick up points from this game.

New-look Hartford Homes Manx Shield

With Ramsey off into the RFU league competitions the domestic setup was something of a worry, however Douglas have stepped up to the plate and Douglas 2^nd XV have been reborn. 

The Shield gets underway this weekend with the first game, Douglas 2^nd XV v Southern Nomads, at Port-e-Chee.

Nomads took a mauling at the end of last season but they beat a Vagabonds team in a pre-season game and could be the ones to watch. 

Rob Craine was a danger man last season and he bagged three in the 'Vagas' game which suggests he’s on form; George Callister also ran in a couple to set a marker for his season. 

Douglas however have some quality in their squad and are restricted to 18 for first team league matches so should have a few bodies spare for the seconds. 

How many and who are always the key questions - on paper, Nomads should start as favourites here, but it may well be close.

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Fixtures - Saturday, 20 September 2025

Regional 2 North West

Douglas v Altrincham Kersal @ Port-e-Chee (2pm KO)

Womens NC2 North (South)

Vagabonds v Sale FC 1861 2^nd XV @ Ballafletcher (2pm KO)

Hartford Homes Manx Shield

Douglas 2^nd XV v PDMS Southern Nomads @ Port-e-Chee (1pm KO)