After a season’s break, the Shimmin Wilson Manx Cup and Plate get under way this Saturday with a whole new format.

The first noticeable change is that Douglas Rugby Club’s first team aren’t involved.

The side’s playing level is so far ahead of the rest of the field that their inclusion was pointless.

Had the competition been run under Cheshire RFU’s format, Douglas would play in the Cheshire Vase, with everyone else in the Cheshire Bowl and Plate.

The club instead will be represented by Manx Shield holders Douglas Celts.

They will face Ramsey, PDMS Southern Nomads and Vagabonds in a league-based competition with the top two playing off in cup final at the end of the season.

The format suits everyone. Ramsey and Vagabonds find themselves in a smaller league this season and both gain six additional fixtures.

Southern Nomads and Douglas Celts get some meaningful competitive matches against league opposition as they both look to develop their players.

The format has found favour with all the clubs and looks a little like a rare ’win-win’ scenario.

In Saturday’s first round of matches, Douglas Celts travel to the Mooragh Park to face Ramsey, while Nomads head to Ballafletcher to square up against Vagabonds.

Ramsey are leading Lancashire/Cheshire Division Three and are unbeaten at home this season.

Nevertheless, the Celts beat Ramsey’s second team last week 50-10 at Mooragh Park so know how to win there.

Ramsey were also impressive away from home last week and may be a bit too much for the Celts, especially on the wide-open spaces of the Mooragh late in the game where Ramsey will no doubt seek to use their fitness to exploit gaps.

At Ballafletcher, Vagabonds host Nomads in what could be the closer of the two games.

Vagas beat Oldershaw last weekend but had a sticky second half, while Nomads ran 59 past Western Vikings.

Lancashire/Cheshire Three outfit Vagabonds should take this one but Nomads do boast the Shimmin Wilson competitions’ leading scorers - Rob Keelan with the ball in hand and Mark Young off the tee. Couple this with a big travelling support and Nomads will be tricky to beat.

Add in some former Nomads now playing at Vagabonds and there’s a heady mix.

In the Manx Plate, where again a league-based competition will be trialled this season, Ramsey B head over to Peel for what could also be a close game.

Western Vikings boast the Shimmin Wilson’s second highest try scorer in the shape of centre Danny Howard and they’re on home turf.

At the last meeting between the two Ramsey B just edged it and this one is simply too tough to call.

Fixtures: Saturday, November 24

North One West

Warrington v Douglas @ Warrington

Shimmin Wilson Manx Cup all ko @ 2.15pm

Ramsey v Douglas Celts @ Mooragh Park

Vagabonds v PDMS Southern Nomads

@ Ballafletcher

Shimmin Wilson Manx Plate all ko @ 2.15pm

Western Vikings v Ramsey B @ QEII School

Vagabonds B P-P Castletown @ Ballafletcher

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

Sunday, November 25

Cheshire Cup U14

Lymm v Western Vikings @ Lymm ko 10.30am