Castletown host Emerging Nomads in the southern derby at Poulsom Park in what promises to be a close encounter in the Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield on Saturday.

Neither side has gone especially well this season particularly against the big guns, but the prospects of a close game should spur both on this week.

Town are showing some very positive signs this season with Jim Emmett providing a steady pair of hands at 10 and Morgan Armstrong-Paton proving to be a real find in the back row.

Nomads are, however, riding a little crest at the moment and a good win last week away at Western Vikings will give them some confidence.

Steve Downe scorched in for two wide scores last week to turn the game and skipper Ari Ludford-Brooks will want more of the same as both sets of shandy drinkers chase the bragging rights.

The only other Shield game on the card between Vagabonds B and Southern Nomads at Ballafletcher has been postponed with Vagas unable to field a side.

FIXTURES

Saturday, December 9

North One West

Douglas v Altrincham Kersal

@ Mooragh Park ko 3pm

South Lancs/Cheshire Division Two

Aspull v Vagabonds @ Aspull

South Lancs/Cheshire Division Three (South)

Ramsey v Newton le Willows

@ Mooragh Park ko 1pm

Women’s NC North One West

Vagabonds v Garstang

@ Ramsey Grammar School ko 2pm

Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield all ko @ 2.15pm

Castletown v Emerging Nomads @ Poulsom Park

Vagabonds B v Southern Nomads @ Ballafletcher

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Sunday, December 10

Junior rugby @ Ballafletcher

School years 2,3,4 and 9 ko 12.30pm

School years 5,6 and 7 ko 2pm