Both the Manx Trophy and Bowl rugby competitions are scheduled for this weekend but the view from the clubs is ’we’re struggling’.

Post-lockdowns, there appears to be a fall in adult player numbers in the lower levels of the game right across the RFU.

Matches at levels eight and nine in the RFU structure appear to be affected with unusual numbers of walkovers being awarded and the same malaise has crept into the ADM Lancashire Leagues and the Halbro North West Leagues which sit just outside the RFU’s more formal structure.

The underlying reasons are a little complex and involve a number of factors. As usual, a number of players retire each season - this in itself is perfectly natural - but the difficulty for 21-22 is that the young players who would normally fill those gaps aren’t permitted to play until January 2022.

This is an RFU restriction intended to protect those young players who wouldn’t have had any rugby development under lockdown and could potentially be slung into games as adults.

Locally, Ramsey’s Jake Richmond falls into this category and, despite playing adult rugby last season, he must sit out the ’blanket restriction’ till January. Other clubs will naturally have their own examples.

Additionally, the threat of Covid still looms large and, while it’s difficult to gauge what effect this may have, it remains there in the background.

Against this backdrop, when we review the Manx Trophy to date we see where the impact has been felt. Ramsey have pretty much retained a full squad and are thus far dominating.

Vagabonds, who beat Ramsey twice last season, appear to be up against it. Mark Oldfield is suspended and skipper Luke Purdy picked up an arm injury last week which will see him sitting out for at least a few weeks.

They travel to Ramsey this Saturday and, while the northerners will be missing Tom Moffatt, they are likely to welcome back Eddie Lord and Connor Cracknell so if anything they could be a little stronger than last week.

Douglas Celts visit Southern Nomads after both sides were mauled by Ramsey - the two teams are struggling personnel-wise and this game could be a war of attrition.

The Douglas backline did look sharp last Saturday and Nomads will need to keep an eye on that. The men in green lost out by only 12 points against Vagabonds and may fancy their chances here.

MANX BOWL

In the Manx Bowl, leaders Ramsey B hit the road to Peel to take on Western Vikings who were mightily impressive against Vagabonds two weeks ago.

Jack Goodwin and Ed Knight caught their eye in the forwards, with young 10 Ollie Bowles looking in form at the helm.

Ramsey should have the experienced Kyle Kenyon available this week, with line-out weapon Jack Lord also expected to return to the fold.

In the final game, Emerging Nomads take on Vagabonds Hornets assuming both can get teams out.

Vagas are unlikely to have as experienced a line-up as they did against Vikings but skipper Ian Marks has a few old heads he can call on: Rob Pease and Ed Alderson can both change a game.

Fixtures for Saturday, October 30:

North One West

Altrincham Kersal v Douglas @ Altrincham

Ravenscroft Manx Trophy

Ramsey v Vagabonds @ Mooragh Park ko 2.15pm

PDMS Southern Nomads v Douglas Celts

@ Ballakilley Park ko 2.15pm

Ravenscroft Manx Bowl

Emerging Nomads v Vagabonds Hornets

@ Ballakilley ko 2.15pm

Western Vikings v Ramsey B @ QEII ko 2.15pm