Bowdon threatened to derail Douglas’s opening match of 2022 at Port-e-Chee on Saturday as the home side briefly faltered in the second half.

The Manchester outfit, 12th in North One West with Douglas two points and one place behind, fought back in the latter stages of the match after the hosts had taken a healthy first-half lead.

Harry Raven’s try after 20 minutes initially led to a yellow card for dissent from Bowdon N0.8 Mark Shoresby.

Continuing disagreement from Shoresby gave referee Josh Smith little option but to issue a red and Bowdon faced 60 minutes one man down.

Luke Hyland at scrum-half added the conversion after Shoresby’s trudge to the sideline, and a try of his own 10 minutes later, also converted for 14-0.

A penalty from Bowdon’s Michael Swetman was matched by Hyland’s 30-metre effort, and a 17-3 lead that almost evaporated completely against a 14-man defence.

Swetman was the architect of Bowdon’s second period revival with a formidable range of kicks. Firstly came one out of danger deep in Bowdon territory, and then a 35-metre kick perfectly placed to the corner to outfox Douglas winger Charlie Henthorn.

Bowdon winger Ivanovic Brown scooped up the remnants for a try, and Swetman himself then took advantage of quick third phase possession to slide through a tattered defence and score near the posts for an easy conversion.

Seth Waterworth’s 55th-minute yellow card was for an abundance of enthusiasm, Bowdon themselves reduced to 13 by a yellow of their own in the 62nd minute.

New Douglas cap Harry Swayne nearly escaped through midfield before the Bowdon cover mopped him up, and Douglas imposed a semblance of order with back-rowers Niall Killey and Blake Snell carrying strongly.

Swetman’s man of the match display apart, not a day for the rugby purist, but Douglas now in 12th may not care a jot.

Final score - Douglas 17, Bowdon 15.