The usual mix of festive rugby will take place this Christmas with an eye on having some fun and raising a few quid for various charities.

The action gets underway at Poulsom Park, Castletown at 12.30pm on Boxing Day with the annual Chris Scott Memorial game where a captain’s XV will take on a president’s XV who are more commonly known as the ’Elder Lemons’.

Just down the road at Ballakilley Park, Southern Nomads host their annual festive challenge when the under-30s take on the over-30s. This is a challenge with a slight twist. For the first-half hour from 1pm the game is non-contact with women and juniors encouraged to take part. But at 1.30pm there’s an hour of full contact which is restricted to adult players who were over-18 on August 31, 2021. RFU rules prohibit them from playing senior rugby until January 1.

In the capital, Douglas have their festive feast also on Boxing Day. At 1pm they kick off with under-12 and under-13 age groups who will be playing their parents in a touch rugby format. Then at 2pm, the seniors take to the field for under-22 v over-22.

At Ballafletcher it’s the annual Farmers Challenge in memory of the late Paul Cleland where a Vagabonds XV take on a Young Farmers XV. Afterwards, Jim Nicholson will be doing his best to raise money for charity and there’s also a Christmas jumper competition.

Finally, a week later, Jim Nicholson’s Front Row All Stars will take the field at Mooragh Park for a game against Vagabonds Ladies.

Sunday, December 26 - Boxing Day

Chris Scott Memorial

Castletown v President’s XV

@ Poulsom Park ko 12.30pm

Douglas Unders v Overs

Douglas Under-22 v Douglas Over-22

@ Port-e-Chee ko 2pm

Paul Cleland Memorial

Vagabonds v Young Farmers

@ Ballafletcher ko tbc

Southern Nomads Unders/Overs

Captains XV v Chairman’s XV ko 1pm - non-contact

Captains XV v Chairman’s XV

ko 1.30pm - contact

----------

Sunday, January 2

Front Row Challenge

Jim Nicholson XV v Vagabonds Ladies

@ Mooragh Park ko 2pm