Round two of Trophy and Bowl

There are three games in round two of Shimmin Wilson Trophy and Bowl this weekend.

The pick of these is in the Manx Trophy where the two strongest domestic sides, Southern Nomads and Douglas Celts, meet for the first time this season at Port-e-Chee. The Celts pipped Nomads to the Manx Shield last season but Nomads took their revenge by winning the Manx Trophy.

Nomads probably start as marginal favourites and have a better all-round look. Douglas on the other hand are very strong in the back line, with Nathan Knights and Andrew Colley already showing their try-scoring form early in the season.

In the Manx Bowl, Western Vikings will finally see some action when they visit Emerging Nomads at King William’s College. Vikings have a new skipper in the formidable shape of second row Liam Sweeney.

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Nomads’ skipper Ari Ludford-Brooks has succumbed to the Emerging Nomads curse and is out injured with a broken collarbone so a stand-in will be needed. With no real form guide, picking a winner is difficult but I’ll back Vikings for the win.

The final game is at Poulsom Park where Castletown host Vagabonds B. With both sides struggling for personnel, the game may be played at less than 15-a-side.

Vagas have some experienced heads though, and if they can get 15 the likes of Kev Birchall and James Clark will knit the together. The pre-season form, however, favours Castletown for the win.

Friday, September 22

Casuals

Douglas v Ramsey @ Port-e-Chee ko 6pm(ish)

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Saturday, September 23

North West One

Wilmslow v Douglas @ Wilmslow ko tbc

South Lancs/Cheshire Two

Vagabonds v Congleton @ Ballafletcher ko 12pm

South Lancs/Cheshire Theww (South)

Ramsey v Prenton @ Mooragh Park ko 1.30pm

Womens NC North West One

Garstang v Vagabonds ko tbc

Shimmin Wilson Manx Trophy

Douglas Celts v Southern Nomads @ Port-e-Chee ko 2.15pm

Shimmin Wilson Manx Bowl all ko @ 2.15pm

Emerging Nomads v Western Vikings

@ King William’s College

Castletown v Vagabonds B @ Poulsom Park