After a week off for the Rugby World Cup final, the Manx Shield returns with three fixtures this weekend.

The pick of these is probably at Ballafletcher where the newly rebranded Vagabonds Hornets meet Emerging Nomads.

The Hornets had a good start and picked up wins in the first two rounds but have since slipped a little, while Emerging Nomads have won one of their two opening games.

Both clubs will be stretched a little this week and this should make for a close competition.

Elsewhere in the Shield, Douglas Celts face Ramsey B at Port-e-Chee and a win should see them go top.

Celts are favourites for the title at the moment and, while Ramsey will put up a valiant effort, they should be no match for a well-drilled Celts side who have Cheshire ambitions as well as domestic.

The final match this weekend is at King William’s College where Southern Nomads host Castletown in a southern derby. Town currently top the Shield standings with three wins from four but look likely to be knocked off their perch. Nomads showed well against Vagabonds in the cup last week and should be too strong for Town.

-----------

Struggling Ramsey Rugby Club face Garstang at Mooragh Park this Saturday as the two sides meet in Lancs/Cheshire One.

The Manx outfit have lost all five of their opening games after being promoted last season but will be buoyed by Garstang’s form on the road, with the Lancashire club losing all three of their away games.

The last home outing for Ramsey was a 22-5 defeat by Ellesmere Port but a scoreless second half suggests that the island side may be moving in the right direction, at least at the Mooragh.

Ramsey will be hoping for the return of some key players this weekend as John F. Watling, Matty Meechan and Ben Harding all missed the away trip to Orrell and their availability will make a big difference.

Utility forward Rory Nicholson has been struggling with an ankle injury so he remains a doubt, while youngster Sam Corlett is a longer term absence after dislocating a shoulder three weeks ago.

Last season’s star was Dan Bonwick and his inclusion would boost the squad too.

Garstang have been regular visitors to Ramsey in the past and their last visit in April 2018 ended in a defeat but still resulted in them winning the league that year.

Ramsey skipper Eddie Lord will be hoping that is an omen as his side look for their first points of the season.

DAVE CHRISTIAN

Fixtures for Saturday, November 9:

North One West

Vale of Lune v Douglas @ Vale of Lune

Lancs/Cheshire One

Ramsey v Garstang @ Mooragh Park ko 1.30pm

Lancs/Cheshire Two

Vagabonds v Oxton Parkonians @ Ballafletcher ko 1.30pm

Manx Shield

all ko @ 2.15pm

Douglas Celts v Ramsey B @ Port-e-Chee

PDMS Southern Nomads v Castletown @ King William’s College

Vagabonds Hornets v Emerging Nomads @ Ballafletcher