The first of the season’s rugby knockout competitions will be decided this Saturday when Western Vikings and Douglas Celts clash at Mooragh Park in the final of the Shimmin Wilson Manx Plate.

With holders Ramsey B unceremoniously dumped out in the preliminary round, there will be a fresh name on the trophy this season.

Douglas must start as favourites. They already have the Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield safely ensconced in the trophy cabinet at Port-e-Chee and captain Mark Shortland will want to add to it.

With his side also through to the Manx Trophy Final next weekend, he could be looking at a rather unique treble.

Additionally, with Douglas’ first team looking pretty much unbeatable, we could yet see four of the five domestic trophies heading their way this season.

The two sides have met twice thus far this season and Douglas have won both encounters by good margins, coming out 46-0 winners at QEII and 46-12 at Port-e-Chee.

Vikings are, however, steadily building on their results and could sneak even closer this time around.

Each side has its ’go to’ players who can be relied upon to produce the goods on a regular basis. Nathan Knights’s finishing for Douglas is top drawer and youngster Tom Dutnall has also been in good shape since his introduction.

Douglas also enjoy the services of Carl Conroy who is something of a war horse and will make the hard yards to let his more nimble team-mates take the glory.

For Western Vikings, Kevin Mellor has made regular appearances on the scoresheet and a short spell with Douglas a little while back adds some extra spice.

Paul Wheeldon, however, is the grafter in the Vikings side. He runs non-stop from start to finish and will always put his head into places that others wouldn’t.

Liam Sweeney gives Vikings great lineout ball and Ryan Burke’s kicking from hand and tee has been sharp in recent games.

As mentioned above, Douglas start as favourites but Vikings are a determined bunch and, while they will need to up their game, they are capable of running Douglas much closer than the earlier scorelines suggest.

Anyone travelling to the game from Douglas will need to remember that the Mountain Road is closed for the Classic Hill Climb this Saturday and should leave a little earlier.

Fixtures for Saturday, April 29

Shimmin Wilson Manx Plate Final

Western Vikings v Douglas Celts

@ Mooragh Park ko 2.15pm