It’s a quiet week in the national rugby leagues this weekend, but we do have two matches in the domestic Shimmin Wilson Manx Trophy and Bowl competitions.

In the Trophy it’s an all Nomads affair at King William’s College with Southern Nomads taking on Emerging Nomads. Just across the way at Poulsom Park, Castletown will host Western Vikings in the Manx Bowl.

The Manx Trophy is looking like a straight shootout between Southern Nomads and Douglas Celts, with Emerging Nomads almost just an interested onlooker.

Southern Nomads are already qualified for the final and Douglas Celts simply need a win in their final game against Emerging Nomads to book their place.

The Emerging Nomads will, however, have something to play for as spaces in the first team are potentially up for grabs.

Steve Logan bagged two tries against the Celts and he for one will be hoping to catch a selector’s eye.

Nomads skipper Rob Keelan will be the man to watch though. He has three tries in three Shimmin Wilson matches and is his side’s most potent strike weapon.

In the Manx Bowl, Castletown will be hoping for a better run than last week. They dominated large parts of their game against Ramsey B but still ended up on the losing side.

A worry for them will be an ankle injury to their talisman Dan James but hopefully he’ll be fit. Kunal Patel looked sharp last week too and Harry Dawson was spiky out on the wing and will be just what Town need against Western Vikings.

The Peel men, however, had a miserable time last week. The planets just aligned badly for them and a variety of problems left them short on manpower and having to concede to Vagas B.

Hopefully things will be a little better this time around.

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While the competitive games take the limelight this weekend, Manx rugby also has a rare visitor to these shores in the shape of a touring team.

Shrewsbury bring a mix of veterans and youngsters and play two fixtures. On Friday night under the Mooragh Park lights, they take on a Ramsey side while at Ballafletcher on Saturday afternoon they will play Vagabonds.

Touring sides were commonplace not so long ago, but the advent of league rugby means that fixture commitment always makes it tricky to plan a social event.

Rugby will no doubt be the winner on both days and we wish them well on their tour.

Fixtures

Friday, October 5

Tour game

Ramsey Vets v Shrewsbury Vets

@ Mooragh Park ko 7pm

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Saturday, October 6

North One West

Stockport v Douglas @ Stockport

Shimmin Wilson Manx Trophy

Emerging Nomads v PDMS Southern Nomads

@ King William’s College ko 2.15pm

Shimmin Wilson Manx Bowl

Castletown v Western Vikings

@ Poulsom Park ko 2.15pm

Tour game

Vagabonds Vets v Shrewsbury Vets

@ Ballafletcher ko 2pm

DAVE CHRISTIAN