IT’s a quiet weekend in the local rugby calendar with just two scheduled matches.
They are though both semi-finals in the Manx Plate competition.
At Poulsom Park, Castletown take on Douglas B in a repeat of a Shield game just a fortnight ago. Douglas won that encounter fairly comfortably and since then have beaten Vagas B and are still in with a shout of winning that title.
Town, however, have lost to Emerging Nomads and ended up bottom of the Shield standings. This isn’t quite the last chance saloon for Castletown, but they will still be keen to make up for their Shield shortcomings. That said, Douglas have no first team game and they will have a slightly better choice of players, so expect them to progress.
In the other semi, Vagabonds B travel to King WIlliam’s College to take on Emerging Nomads. Nomads have won three games on the bounce and are on something of a high. They beat Vagas earlier in the season too so will fancy their chances. Gaz Watt has been a big factor for Nomads and with Jimmy Cubbon back too last week, they made light work of Castletown. Vagas B may well present a tougher test and they may just sneak through.
Saturday’s Fixtures
Manx Plate Semi Finals ko 2.15pm
Castletown v Douglas B @ Poulsom Park
Emerging Nomads v Vagabonds B
@ King William’s College
Friendly
Ramsey v Ramsey B