Old Mutual Douglas host Stockport on Saturday afternoon with fifth place at stake in North One West.

The mid-table scrap the pair find themselves in is as close as ever and surprises throughout the table still crop up.

Rochdale in 13th beat runaway league leaders Vale of Lune last week and will battle with Altrincham in 12th to avoid accompanying St Benedict’s out of the division.

Douglas have played one more round than Stockport and are two points ahead going into Saturday’s 2.15pm kick-off.

The visitors will bring memories of the 26-25 scoreline at Bramhall in October when a penalty try late in the match settled a titanic contest.

Injuries continue to hamper Douglas with Chris Bollen, James Maddrell, Bryn Snellgrove and Ralph Clarke unavailable, but Max Morley-Green and Spencer Cope bolster the three-quarters choice, and Shaun Wyllie will enjoy another start at scrum-half.

Paul Leivers, Niall Killey and Sam Games will be starters alongside the in-form Liam Kirkpatrick, while Dave Hinks, Carl Markl-Ferns and Robert Todd will probably make front-row starts with Owen Carvin a strong bench presence.

With only three home fixtures remaining, points in the heavy going of Port-e-Chee will be crucial if Douglas are to stay in the top half of the table to the season’s conclusion.

Douglas u15s continue

run in cheshire plate

Douglas under-15 side scored an impressive away win over Hoylake in the Cheshire Plate on Sunday.

Douglas travelled on Saturday’s early boat. Because of the weather it was not a pleasant crossing with several of the players feeling the effects of the high winds.

So it was welcome news for the Manx side when the game was rearranged from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning.

Douglas were playing into the wind and rain in the tie’s first half but soon after kick-off the hail started.

Hoylake started strong and and after several good carries scored the first try of the game.

Douglas refocused and didn’t let their heads drop.

Some very big tackles came in from Douglas and the pressure paid off scoring in the corner.

It wasn’t a day for kicking and Douglas kept the ball tight as they scored three more tries to take the lead at the end of the first half.

With the wind behind them, Douglas started the second half with the same tempo they had set and went on to score another four tries.

Try scorers for Douglas were Brendan Kelly, Connor Garland, Craig Martin, Johnny Kelsey, Josh Blackburn, Jack Shimmin and John Dutnall.

All the boys played well and it was a difficult decision to pick just one player for man of the match, so Thomas Coleman and Johnny Kelsey jointly picked up the award. Well done to all the lads and well played.

Thanks go to Old Mutual International and Douglas Rugby Club’s committee.