A 36-19 home defeat is not normally something to celebrate but for beleaguered Ramsey it was the latest in a string of improving performances from a team which just doesn’t quit.

Hoylake raced into an early lead with a penalty from Tom Selby-Milic and tries from Dean Clarke, Dominic Watters and Joe Lavin. Selby-Milic added two conversions and trailing 0-22 after half an hour, the resolve of the Mooragh faithful was under pressure. Ben Harding pulled one back for Ramsey on the stroke of half-time and Scott Kneale’s conversion left it 7-22 at the break.

It seemed a different Ramsey team after the whistle and within five minutes Chris Hardisty pulled one back. Hoylake though stood firm and killed the game off with two quick tries. Matt Ross and Gary Hummerstone crossed in rapid succession with Selby-Milic converting both. Dan Bonwick picked up a late consolation for Ramsey with Kneale converting with the final kick of the match.

Results:

North One West

Douglas 22-17 Birkenhead Park

Lancashire/Cheshire One

Ramsey 19-36 Hoylake

Lancashire/Cheshire Two

Liverpool University 17-25 Vagabonds

Women’s NC1 North West

Ashfield 15-34 Vagabonds

Manx Shield

Emerging Nomads p-p Western Vikings

Vagabonds Hornets 56-22 Ramsey B

Full round-up of the weekend’s rugby in Tuesday’s Examiner.