Douglas Celts lifted the Shimmin Wilson Manx Cup for the first time on Saturday when they beat Ramsey 15-13 in difficult conditions at Ballafletcher.

The Celts dominated the game for the first 40 minutes and the last 20, with Ramsey having a brief purple patch in between.

Douglas played with the wind in the first half and profited when Ramsey showed vulnerability under the high ball.

Skipper Rob Todd went over in the fourth minute and then in the eighth Mike Osborne doubled the lead after Ramsey misjudged another Garryowen. In the 21st minute Ollie Mealin crossed for Douglas’ third following a lineout drive and his score gave Douglas a 15-0 half-time lead.

In the second period Ramsey wasted no time in getting the scoreboard moving.

Two penalties from Dan Bonwick in the opening five minutes narrowed the gap and on the quarter of an hour mark Bonwick powered in for a try which he converted himself to bring Ramsey to within two points. Douglas skipper Todd, however, marshaled his troops and they formed a defensive wall for the final 25 minutes that Ramsey couldn’t breach and it was left to Todd to kick the ball from the field to end a memorable game for the Celts.

Result

Shimmin Wilson Manx Cup Final

Ramsey 13-15 Douglas Celts