Ramsey head for Hoylake this Saturday for their quarter-final of the Cheshire Plate.

Hoylake play in the same Counties Three league as Vagabonds and currently sit in fifth place with three wins from seven, although one of those was a walk-over.

The Wirral side have no other notable results this season and don’t meet Vagas till nearer Christmas.

They are of course no strangers to Ramsey who beat them at the Mooragh Park outfit last season before getting drilled 45-3 in the return leg which also served as the Cheshire Bowl Final.

Ramsey didn’t enter the league system this season on cost grounds and have played fewer games.

This is however a two-edged sword. While the players may not be fully match fit, they should be better rested. That said, given the choice, most coaches would prefer the players to be fully match fit.

Ramsey welcome back two of their youngsters for the trip. Dan Kelly returns from a family holiday as does Josh Kelly.

Both guested for Vikings on Saturday with prop Josh bagging his first senior try.

He’s likely to pack down alongside Ben Hardman and Adam Dunlop in a tough front row.

Josh Corteen and Matt Meechan make up the core of an effective back row and the centre pairing of Jake Richmond and Kieran Kneale is highly effective.

Much will depend of the Ramsey squad being able to travel. If all their key players are good to go, they have a chance to take this.

Nomads meet Celts in Manx Shield

For the second week running Southern Nomads are hosting the only game to take place on island when they take on Douglas Celts in the Hartford Homes Manx Shield at Ballakilley Park.

Ramsey currently head the standings but the Celts beat them in week one and haven’t played since. Wins in their two games in hand could see then take pole position.

Nomads looked in tip top form last Saturday and swept Western Vikings away with an astonishing 14-try performance. Tries came from all over the squad too.

Nathan Page, Stan Cubbon and Seb Meechan have pace perfectly suited for finishing, while Sean Christian was wearing the 10 jersey like he stole it and was just shy of a 30-point game.

Douglas have a blend of youth and experience, but the game should go Nomads’ way on the day.

Fixtures: Saturday, November 14

Cheshire Plate

Hoylake v Ramsey @ Hoylake ko 1.45pm

Hartford Homes Manx Shield

Southern Nomads v Douglas Celts @ Ballakilley Park ko 2.15pm

- Douglas and Vagabonds first teams return to action next weekend.

The former host Cheshire side Northwich at Port-e-Chee in Regional 2 North West, with the visitors second in the standings.

Vagabonds men’s team are also at home that day, November 21, and face Prenton in Counties Three ADM Lancashire and Cheshire.

The Manx side will start as favourites for that match, with Prenton having only won once in six outings this term.

Vagas’ women’s side are also in action next weekend. They put their unbeaten start to the season on the line against Aspull at Ballafletcher.