Douglas Rugby Club head to the famous old Blundellsands ground in Merseyside, the home of Firwood Waterloo RFC, for round five of the Regional Two North West season this Saturday.

The hosts currently sit fifth in the table and Douglas are eighth, separated by five league points which constitutes a bonus-point win.

Both sides have produced unpredictable performances to date, the pick of which was Waterloo’s loss at home to Widnes in round three, while Douglas at home lost to Wilmslow in the opening fixture.

In November last year the Manx team won 21-25 at Blundellsands on their way to the play-offs via a seven-game winning streak, and this season have only shown real form in a 40-minute blitz of Burnage at Port-e-Chee.

Injuries have played their part, with scrum-half Nathan Robson the first casualty, skipper Simon Hoddinott another, and centre Tim Hewson and flanker Liam Kirkpatrick correctly cautious in the timing of their return.

Recent form saw Firwood Waterloo win at Burnage on the artificial surface at Varley Park in Stockport, while Douglas drew at Winnington Park in a 34-34 humdinger last weekend.

The walking wounded include Josh Campbell and Matty Wood, and physio Kevin Granzotto has his hands full so far this season.

A clean bill of health come match-day and Douglas are in the running.

- Reports from the weekend’ local rugby fixtures will appear in next week’s edition of the Isle of Man Examiner, on sale Tuesday morning, and online at www.iomtoday.co.im

TONY WILSON-SPRATT

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