THE Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield could finally be decided this weekend when Douglas B and Vagabonds B meet at Port-e-Chee for the final scheduled fixture.
Anything less than a Douglas win will make Southern Nomads champions for the fourth year running. If Douglas do win, they will force a play-off between themselves and Nomads who currently top the table.
The two sides met just a fortnight ago, with Douglas stealing the honours. They will also meet again in a week’s time in the Manx Plate final. The outcome of the game is difficult to forecast. Both sides could be stiffened by non-travelling first teamers and it really could go either way. In past seasons, Douglas haven’t shown the consistency needed to win a shield. Their defeat by Emerging Nomads this season suggests they haven’t got it this time around either and on that basis, I suspect Vagabonds will run them very close and may even just sneak a result.
Saturday’s Fixtures
South Lancashire/Cheshire Division Two
Dukinfield v Douglas @ Dukinfield
Ruskin Park v Vagabonds @ Ruskin Park
Ramsey v Oldershaw @ Mooragh Park ko 1.15pm
Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield
Douglas B v Vagabonds B
@ Port-e-Chee ko 2.15pm
Friendly
Southern Nomads v Ramsey B
@ King William’s College ko 2.15pm