In a fitting finale to rugby’s Manx Bowl, former Ramsey man Mark Oldfield ran in three tries against his old club on Saturday afternoon.

The treble ensured his Vagabonds Hornets side claimed the Bowl in the final game of the competition, beating Ramsey B 22-12 at a windy Ballafletcher.

The strong wind was gusting straight down the pitch and Ramsey had it at their backs first. Despite this, it was Vagas who broke the deadlock when tight forward play and strong running earned them an attacking five-metre scrum.

Ramsey got a nudge on but the Vagas set-piece provided just enough stability for Oldfield to launch himself from the base and dive over the line for the opening try.

Darragh Pilkington missed a penalty at the other end for Ramsey just after the 10-minute mark but chances for the northerners were few and far between.

The Vagabonds defence was efficient both at halting Ramsey’s progress and stealing the ball at the breakdown.

As 20 minutes approached, Vagas doubled their lead. Turnover ball gave them an opportunity to counter-attack and prop Joe Louw thundered down the right wing and was halted just short of the Ramsey line.

The ball was recycled quickly and second row Mitch Wells was on hand to pick and drive for the try and a 10-0 lead.

Knowing that they’d have to play into the wind in the second half, Ramsey simply had to score before the break and on the half-hour a chance finally emerged.

Pace runners Brandon Atchison and Jake Richmond had seen little ball in the opening exchanges and both went upfield to chase a kick.

Their efforts drew a penalty from the Vagas defence and, after Jared May’s crash ball was stopped just short, scrum half Jonny Mason was on hand to dive in from the base of the ruck. Richmond converted to leave Vagas 10-7 in front at the half-time whistle.

In the second half, Vagas’ Tom Rowley used the wind beautifully as his floated kicks kept Ramsey pinned in their own half and unable to kick.

The defence initially held firm and won a defensive five-metre scrum, but Vagas attacked the set-piece and turned the ball over.

Oldfield seized the loose ball and nipped over the line for his second which Rowley converted for a 17-7 lead.

Ramsey then had a turn of pressure in the Vagas 22. Abuu Migoda and Atchison made the hard yards and, after a string of penalties, it was Jared May who got closest to the line, but crucially not over it.

A breakdown penalty then gave Vagas possession and Rowley’s boot once again kicked them clear. To rub salt into the Ramsey wound, Vagas scored again from the clearance.

Steve Gawne was bundled into touch five metres from the Ramsey line, but Vagas regained possession from the line out and Oldfield sneaked in for his hat-trick and a 22-7 lead.

Ramsey grabbed a consolation try eight minutes from the end when Ben Hardman crashed over to finish off an Migoda break, but with the clock against them they could make no further inroads into the Vagas lead.

No surprises in Manx Cup

Douglas South, Ramsey and Vagabonds all progressed into the league phases of the Manx Cup as widely predicted.

Western Vikings conceded their fixture against Ramsey to send the northerners through without having to take the field.

At Port-e-Chee, Vagas Ladies lost 67-12 to Douglas South. Blake Snell and Jo McCabe both picked up tries for the women, with McCabe also converting one.

Up at Ballafletcher, Vagabonds overcame a spirited Castletown side 75-10. Jim Emmett and Craig Martin both crossed the whitewash for Castletown.

The conclusion of the Bowl competition means that line-ups for the final fixtures in the preliminary round are now known.

This Saturday, Southern Nomads will host Ramsey B while Vagabonds Hornets will meet Emerging Nomads.

Results from

Saturday, February 20:

Manx Bowl

Vagabonds Hornets 22-12 Ramsey B

Manx Cup preliminary round

Douglas South 67-12 Vagabonds Ladies

Vagabonds 75-10 Castletown

Ramsey HWO Western Vikings