After receiving something of a lesson from league leaders Aspull last weekend, Ramsey play hosts to Birchfield in South Lancs/Cheshire Division Three this Saturday .

This game is one which is eminently more winnable than their previous outing.

Birchfield currently sit in a rather misleading 10th place in the standings but have played one game fewer than Ramsey and are only 15 points adrift.

Their results are a little inconsistent and they have ran Congleton close on their own turf but then slipped up to lesser sides. In the reverse fixture, they held Ramsey to a 14-all draw.

For a while, Ramsey were in the hunt for one of the promotion places from this league, however with their recent form they are all but out of the running.

Imperious Aspull look a shoe-in for the title and second-placed Congleton need only 14 points from their remaining seven matches to secure a finish above Ramsey and play 11th place Mossley Hill this weekend which should secure at least four of the 14.

Ramsey have also picked up a few injuries to key players. Hooker Chris Hardisty and centre Ethan Benjamin are both out for the duration with wrist injuries.

After a blow to the head last Saturday, back rower Josh Bowman is doubtful this week and number eight Andy Wilson is out long-term following surgery on his broken leg.

The good news for Ramsey is that two of their mainstays may return for this match. John F. Watling has missed the last two games and his return will be a huge boost.

Also skipper Dan Bonwick may return after treatment to a broken tooth kept him out last Saturday.

Liam Sommer looks very sharp at scrum half and Dave Keenan is having an excellent season at centre.

Also set to return this week is flanker Juan Callister who has served a one-match ban after picking up two yellow cards in the cup tie against Southern Nomads.

This should stiffen up a pack led from the front by the sturdy Michéal Flynn who is proving his worth following a big-money signing from Douglas a few years ago.

On paper, Ramsey should take at least four points and probably five, but Birchfield are tough customers and won’t roll over easily.

Fixtures

Saturday, March 11:

South Lancs/Cheshire Division One

Douglas v Anselmians

@ Port-e-Chee ko 2.30pm

South Lancs/Cheshire Division Three

Ramsey v Birchfield

@ Mooragh Park ko 3pm

Shimmin Wilson Manx Trophy

PDMS Southern Nomads v Ramsey B

@ King William’s College ko 2.15pm

Shimmin Wilson Manx Bowl

Castletown v Western Vikings

@ Poulsom Park ko 2.15pm

Vagabonds B v Emerging Nomads

@ Ballafletcher ko 2.15pm

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