While most clubs have an eye on the Christmas do and last-minute shopping, Ramsey and Vagabonds have a huge game to consider this weekend.
The two are due to meet at Mooragh Park on Saturday afternoon for round two of the Cheshire (South) derby game.
Round one took place back in September at Ballafletcher where Ramsey came away with the honours winning 13-6.
Since then, however, Vagas have firmly established themselves as the top local side in the division.
They sit in seventh place and have a healthy 15-point buffer between themselves and Ramsey.
The scoring stats are skewed firmly in Vagas’ favour too with only Dukinfield and Manchester Medics scoring more.
Additionally, Vagas really did upset the pecking order with a great away win against then league leaders Medics.
Ramsey by contrast are three places lower and while they have been denied the opportunity for a run at bottom side Knutsford, which may have yielded five points, other results have been disappointing.
Narrow defeats against Eagle and Moore could easily have been wins.
All in all, the form book suggests a Vagas win but it should be a close run thing.
Ramsey welcomed back Rory Nicholson last week, and should have available this week a whole host of others.
Fintan Cummins returns from holiday, Ali Trace from university, Dale Radcliffe and Matty Meechan from work and Craig Long and possibly even John F. Watling from injury. Anthony Fergusson is expected to be fit from a knock picked up last week too.
This will mean team selection will be based on the strongest possible line-up, despite good debuts for Tom Atherton, Gary Gaines and Greg Miller last Saturday.
There are no reported problems from inside the Vagas camp. Try machine Rob Martin will be fit and looking to continue the form that gave him a hat-trick last week.
With rain and wind forecast for Saturday the game is likely to be something of a forward battle with the back-row crucial.
Vagas have one of the sharpest operators in the island in the shape of Ross Pulman who is so fast at the breakdown he can steal ball and generate extra possession.
Outside the pack, Leigh Kennaugh is hugely experienced and knows just how to win big games in poor weather.
Kick-off at the Mooragh is scheduled for 2.15pm. Don’t miss this one.
Fixtures: Saturday, December 19
South Lancashire/Cheshire Division One
Douglas v Hoylake @ Port-e-Chee ko 2.15pm
Cheshire (South)
Ramsey v Vagabonds
@ Mooragh Park ko 2.15pm
Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield ko @ 2.15pm
Castletown P-P W’Vikings @ Poulsom Park
E’Nomads v S’Nomads @ KWC