Old Mutual-sponsored Douglas RUFC host Firwood Waterloo in North One West at Port-e-Chee this Saturday.

The match between these two sides was a belter when the visitors from Blundellsands edged a 65-point thriller at Port-e-Chee last year.

Both sides were adjusting to life in North One West, Waterloo finishing in fourth place after demotion from National Three, while Douglas were ninth after advancing from South Lancashire/Cheshire Division One.

Both sides have lost only once this term and both by a single point, therefore the portents are good for another showdown.

Waterloo are off the back of a win against Penrith and occupy second behind league leaders Carlisle, while Douglas in seventh are licking an open wound after the narrowest loss at Manchester when they should have beaten their hosts comfortably.

Major pluses for Douglas have been the form of back-row Liam Kirkpatrick. His contribution via ball carrying and defence has improved as fitness levels have similarly advanced, but his ball handling has also developed as a key element.

His sympathetic and perfectly-timed pass under pressure to put Carl Murray in for a try against Blackburn was clear evidence.

Douglas squad: Todd McDowell, Robert Todd, Harry Raven, Dom Winrow, Paul Leivers, Niall Killey, Sam Games, Liam Kirkpatrick, Will Cain, Bryn Snellgrove, Carl Murray, Lance Wyllie, Conor Stephens, Adam Boyd, Guy Wood, Max Singer, Aidan O’Shea, Michael Dunnet.

TONY WILSON-SPRATT