Ramsey enter phase two of Lancs/Cheshire Division One this Saturday with a trip to New Brighton.

The Manx side is three points behind Birchfield in the standings and a best finish is likely to be just above their Lancashire rivals.

Some points away from home would be a dream start but the injury and absence-ravaged squad looks like it could struggle.

Skipper Eddie Lord starts the missing list and prop Adam Dunlop joins him, as does John F. Watling (hamstring), Scott Kneale (knee), Matty Meechan (knee) and Sam Corlett (wrist).

To make matters worse, Dan Richmond, Jamie Arneil, Dan Bonwick and Ben Harding are all unable to travel.

Kyle Kenyon will slot into the front row with either Matt Livesey or Chris Hardisty hooking. Jack Roberts will have a new second row partner, possibly Aaron Curphey, and Rory Nicholson can hold his own at eight. Conor Goodall is likely to step in at scrum half and Dave Keenan most likely at 10.

In phase one, Ramsey lost the home leg 17-39 and won’t be at all afraid of New Brighton based on that game.

But the away leg was a more convincing 59-0 score and the effort the players are making each week means they will be looking for a better scoreline this time around.

Three games as Manx Shield begins to wind down

With Douglas Celts crowned champions last week, the main part of the Manx Shield competition is done.

But there still remain a few subordinate matches which need to be played. Weather permitting, four of these should be taken care of this weekend.

At Mooragh Park, Ramsey B host Western Vikings in a game that both have elected to count for double points (hence for fixtures from three games).

If Ramsey’s non-travelling players make themselves available for second team duties, Mike Caine could well have a very strong second team squad.

But Vikings will have the advantage of playing together more frequently as a smaller squad and may gel better on the day.

At Poulsom Park, Castletown host Southern Nomads. Town have been putting together some good stuff this season and will provide Nomads with a testing game.

But Nomads, despite being not quite at their best, are likely to have too much firepower for Town.

Finally, at King William’s College, Emerging Nomads take on Vagabonds Hornets. On paper the Hornets should take the points here but Emerging Nomads were pretty solid last week against Douglas Celts and a similar side here could very well be too strong for Vagabonds.

Fixtures

Saturday, February 22:

Lancs/Cheshire One Shield

New Brighton v Ramsey @ New Brighton

ko 2.15pm

Lancs/Cheshire Two Premier

Vagabonds P-P Port Sunlight

Women’s NC One North West

Vagabonds v Ashfield @ Ballafletcher ko tbc

Manx Shield all ko @ 2.15pm

Ramsey B v Western Vikings @ Mooragh Park

Castletown v PDMS Southern Nomads

Emerging Nomads v Vagabonds Hornets

@ King William’s College

DAVE CHRISTIAN