With most league rugby taking a break this Saturday, the spotlight shifts to Southern Nomads who take on Ellesmere Port in the final of the Cheshire Plate.

This will be a stiff test for Nomads as Ellesmere Port currently top Lancashire/Cheshire Division Three and thrashed Ramsey 77-24 last week.

A quick look at their season so far shows they’ve lost only once in 22 league matches.

Ellesmere Port are no strangers to Isle of Man rugby. They met Ramsey in the then Cheshire Cup back in 1994 when they were known as Shell Stanlow because of their links to the famous oil company and although the club changed its name in the 2000s, it still retains the nickname ’The Oilers’.

They’ve visited the island many times over the years for league matches against Ramsey, Douglas and Vagabonds plus of course one or two social tours too.

Nomads’ season as is the norm has been awkward.

They and Douglas Celts have outpaced the other domestic sides in development and have become big fish in a small pond.

They therefore find that their games are relatively unchallenging with frequent big scores and their season becomes focussed on one or two crucial matches against Douglas.

The county competitions are therefore a vital outlet for them to get game time against tougher opposition.

The tight-five will be important for Nomads on Saturday. If they can win their own scrum ball, they will have ammunition for their danger men to fire. Harry Catlow and Rob Keelan in particular can wreak havoc with their powerful running but they need ball to do this.

Outside of the pack George Collister is developing well at scrum-half and whether they prefer Al Corrin or Mark Young at 10, they will have a solid half-back pairing.

In midfield, Harry Brereton provides the penetration and outside him, Josh Can, Andy Lean and Tom Duggan are all proven finishers.

On paper, Ellesmere Port start as the overwhelming favourites and should win comfortably. Nomads do, however, have the underdog tag which can work wonders in cup rugby.

Fixtures: March 31

North One West

Manchester v Douglas @ Manchester

Cheshire Plate Final

Ellesmere Port v PDMS Southern Nomads

@ Birkenhead Park ko 1pm