2E2-SPONSORED Douglas take to the field this Saturday for the first fixture of the new season against somewhat of an unknown entity in the form of visiting side Ormskirk.
The Port-e-Chee outfit have not faced Ormskirk in recent times so don’t have too much to go on when it comes to a game plan.
Over the last season, however, Douglas have grown together as a squad and last year’s successes were based on an impressive unbeaten run on home turf.
With last campaign’s promotion push going down to the final weeks and the subsequent Manx Cup triumph over bitter rivals Vagabonds, there is a lot of confidence within the home team dressing room.
New skipper ‘Great’ Scott Goodall will be looking for more of the same from the team inherited from outgoing captain Ryan Maddox.
2E2 Douglas have been busy in the pre-season adding to their ranks with the signings of Glyn Hooson-Owen and Daryn Thompson from Ramsey and Sam Peel from Castletown.
These players coupled with the returning travellers Bryn Snellgrove and Stephen Tansell means that Douglas have added some physicality, experience and guile to their ranks.
This has meant that Goodall has been able to select a strong squad for this weekend’s game not too dissimilar from the cup final winning side and it is hoped that this face will enable them to get their the season off to a flyer.
This young and confident side will look to take the game to their opponents and are fully aware that last year’s successes do not guarantee anything.
Goodall is under no illusions about facing a recently relegated side and knows that Ormskirk will be a formidable outfit and will not have travelled to the Isle of Man to roll over and let Douglas have everything their own way.
The same hard work, discipline and defensive application that was apparent last year will be needed once more if 2E2 Douglas are to impress themselves as promotion contenders once again.
Kick-off is 3pm at Port-e-Chee and all are welcome and encouraged to attend in what will hopefully be a fine start to the rugby season.