PDMS Southern Nomads face a tough challenge in the first semi-final of the Shimmin Wilson Manx Cup on Saturday.

South Lancashire and Cheshire Division Three outfit Ramsey are the visitors to King William’s College this weekend in a tie the northerners will be favourites to advance through.

The last time the two sides met was just over 12 months ago on a stinker of a day at the Mooragh Park where Ramsey ran out 13-5 winners in a game dominated by the wet and windy weather.

The quirks of the cup draw have pitched the two together again this year with the only difference being Nomads name came out first.

Nomads are undergoing something of a transition this year.

Steve McHugh and Josh Bowman have both left for pastures new with the latter at Ramsey.

Additional departures last season included Chris Beaumont and Conor Stephens who are now both at Douglas.

Nomads have however filled in the gaps. Adam Young has slotted into the backline and is in excellent form.

Dale Williams has moved into McHugh’s second-row place and two tries last week suggest that he’s as effective as the man he replaced.

Bowman’s back-row vacancy has been filled by the fit again Rob Keelan who would be welcome in most sides in the island.

It has taken some time for the side to settle though and in the interim they’ve handed over their Manx Shield title to Douglas B.

Ramsey haven’t quite undergone so many changes.

Old warhorse Tynan Prichard has hung his boots up after an ankle injury in last year’s cup final, stand-off Fintan Cummins has gone travelling and utility man Jake Severs has joined the armed forces.

Into the fray however have come a scutch of 17 year olds. The youngsters have matured rapidly since the start of the season and are now among the first names on the team sheet.

Liam Sommers is fearless at scrum-half and Abuu Migoda and Neil Long provide pace aplenty out wide.

Bowman’s transfer from Nomads has helped in the back row and the centre pairing of Ethan Benjamin and Dave Keenan has also worked well.

The backs, however, only prosper behind a solid scrum and with Dave Hinks and the immovable Michéal Flynn in the front row, Ramsey are capable of holding their own against most packs.

Both sides will however be missing a few regulars.

Nomads’ hooker Jack Sleight and flanker Harry Brereton are not available and prop Colin Kelly looks doubtful.

For Ramsey second row enforcer Anthony Fergusson is missing as is Ramsey talisman John F. Watling.

Aside from these, both sides should be at full strength for what should be an entertaining cup tie. On paper you have to fancy a Ramsey win but Nomads on their own turf will be a tough prospect.

Fixtures:

Friday, February 24

Casuals @ Ramsey ko 7.30pm

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Saturday, February 25

South Lancashire/Cheshire Division One

Sefton v Douglas @ Sefton

Women’s NC North One

Crewe and Nantwich v Vagabonds ko 12.30pm

Shimmin Wilson Manx Cup semi-final

PDMS Southern Nomads v Ramsey

@ King William’s College ko 2.15pm

l Round-up of Saturday’s rugby in next week’s Examiner - on sale Tuesday.