Serious injury mars opening game of league season for Douglas

Douglas Rugby Club's opening Regional Two North West league fixture against Wilmslow at Port-e-Chee on Saturday was marred by injury before kick-off.

Key Douglas player Nathan Robson sustained a serious leg injury in the warm-up and was hospitalised.

There was an hour’s delay for ambulance access and care for the Douglas scrum-half, and understandably there may have hung something of a cloud over the hosts' performance.

They did come mighty close to providing a fillip for the injured Robson with a see-saw display in an eight-try thriller and a 29-25 lead into the last 10 minutes, but rued missed try-scoring chances as the Cheshire side took the spoils.

Craig Martin moved in to scrum-half, Sam McCord started from the bench and Martin in the 10th minute burst through for a well-taken try after his forwards squeezed the Wilmslow scrum.

Matty Wood added the conversion, but Wilmslow struck back with number nine Sam Fihaki providing close support to his ball carriers up front.

Alex Tomlinson levelled matters with the conversion and Wilmslow winger Hamish Usher made light of Douglas defence after Jeremy Lancaster broke from fullback to score in the corner and 7-12 after half an hour.

Martin went in again as he burnt defenders for pace and Wood’s conversion gave Douglas a 14-12 lead, only for Wilmslow to earn a penalty which Tomlinson converted and take a one-point margin to the half-time break.

McCord scored virtually unopposed when swift Douglas handling freed up the right winger to canter in near the uprights for 21-15, but the home side took their foot off the gas and conceded a Will Martindale try, converted by Tomlinson for 21-22.

Wood made a scintillating run as Douglas countered, Luke Parry came on for his first Douglas cap for an injured Oli Corkish and a scrum penalty when the hosts shovelled the Wilmslow pack backwards was kicked by Wood to snatch a 58th minute lead.

A careless Douglas ruck offside was penalised by referee Daryl Richards and Tomlinson didn’t miss from 35 metres for 24-25, but it seemed the Manx side may have done enough when skipper Simon Hoddinott charged over on the end of a well-drilled front of lineout routine.

A four-point margin with six minutes plus injury time to run and Wilmslow centre Sam Keep inflicted the initial damage to usher Martindale in for his second try. Tomlinson converted again and Douglas were on the ropes at 29-32.

A Wood cross-kick stretched Wilmslow to breaking point, man of the match Craig Martin racked up the tackle count and McCord was pulled back with a forward pass as he ran clear with time running out.

Wilmslow chalked up the winners' five league points at the final whistle and the Manx side take two bonus points into the next round at Birkenhead Park this weekend.

Robson underwent successful surgery on Sunday and the rugby community wish him a speedy recovery.

Douglas squad: Conor Garland, Josh Campbell, Simon Hoddinott (c), Blake Snell, Kudzai Chenda, Cal Dentith, Mark Oldfield, Harry Cartwright, Nathan Robson, Josh Duncan, Matty Wood, Wilf Kermode, Craig Martin, Ollie Corkish, Kyle Martin, Owen Carvin, Luke Parry, Sam McCord.