In recent years the Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield has been dominated by two sides and this Saturday they meet in domestic rugby’s ’El Clasico’.

Defending champions Douglas Celts host perennial winners Southern Nomads in a game switched to the latter’s pitch at King William’s College.

The two sides have met three times so far this season. Nomads picked up a big win at Port-e-Chee in the Trophy competition while Douglas restored parity in the pair’s first Shield meeting of the season.

There was also a friendly last week which Nomads sneaked 14-7.

In terms of the competition, Nomads need to win.

Having already lost to Douglas once, they would need to rely on someone else beating them to keep their title hopes alive and on current form there doesn’t appear to be another side close to them.

I expect to see a Nomads win this week which will send the Shield down to the wire.

Elsewhere, Vagabonds B were meant to host Emerging Nomads at Ballafletcher, but this has been postponed with both struggling to field a side.

In the final fixture this week Castletown take on Ramsey B at Poulsom Park.

Town were handy enough last week. Lewis Dawson impressed me on the wing, but just didn’t get enough ball to get him into the game and Ramsey will need to watch him as they search for their first pukka win of the season.

Casuals game in Ramsey on friday as soon as jim nic has fed the cows

This Friday sees a fixture in the casual rugby calendar and at this time of the year it can only be in one place and that’s under the lights at Ramsey’s Mooragh Park ground.

The idea of casuals is to provide a framework for non-competitive rugby where you can turn up and play as much or as little as you like and walk away again afterwards without having to commit to training or further matches. It really is pitch up and play.

This week sees a Jim Nicholson XV take on an Isle of Man XV and if you fancy a run out for either side get your kit and get yourself to Ramsey for 6.30pm for a floodlit feast of casual competition.

Kick-off will be at 7.15pm or as soon as Jim has fed the cows.

FIXTURES

Friday, January 19

Casuals

Jim Nicholson XV v IoM XV @ Ramsey ko 7.15pm

--------------

Saturday, January 20

North One West

Burnage v Douglas @ Burnage

South Lancs/Cheshire Division Two

Vagabonds v Dukinfield @ Ballafletcher ko 1.30pm

South Lancs/Cheshire Division Three (South)

Ramsey v E’Port @ Mooragh Park ko 1.45pm

Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield all ko @ 2.15pm

Douglas Celts v PDMS Southern Nomads @ KWC

Vagabonds B P-P Emerging Nomads @ Ballafletcher

Castletown v Ramsey B @ Poulsom Park

--------------

Sunday, January 21

Isle of Man Junior Rugby @ QEII School, Peel

Under 7; Under 8; Under 9; under 12 KO 12.30pm

Under 10; Under 11; Under 14 KO 2pm