With the Cup and Plate pushed to one side, it’s back to the business of the Manx Shield for the domestic rugby sides this weekend.

Leaders PDMS Southern Nomads face Castletown at King William’s College, while chasers Douglas Celts entertain Western Vikings and a little lower down the table Ramsey B host Emerging Nomads for the second week running.

Southern Nomads just about have the title sewn up. They have three games remaining and could pocket the Shield on March 9 or even earlier if the Celts are overrun by Vikings.

It is, however, a local derby this weekend with Castletown the visitors at KWC. The formbook isn’t an exact science, but a Castletown win here is highly improbable.

Nomads are top and unbeaten while Town have thus far won two from six. Mark Young bagged two tries for Nomads against a very mean Ramsey defence last weekend and looks to be at the top of his game both with the boot and the ball in hand, therefore he will punish any indiscretions from Town.

At Port-e-Chee, Douglas Celts host Western Vikings in a game they should win. They have qualified for a Manx Cup Final and the only two blots on the copybook are the Shield defeats against Nomads.

The Celts front five are the boys who do the damage. Five front-row tries in the last two games is indicative of some real beef up front and Western Vikings will struggle. Alex Gibson and Mark Bienvenu, however, had five between them last Saturday and a strong Vikings pack may well push Douglas a little, but probably not enough to beat them.

Finally at Mooragh Park, Ramsey B - who are next to bottom in the Shield - host emerging Nomads. Ramsey’s youngsters were excellent last week beating Nomads 63-17 in the Plate. Kieran Kneale scored a hat-trick on his senior debut for Ramsey but Nomads were pretty much in the game at half-time and Mike Quayle’s side will be looking for some revenge.

Fixtures for Saturday, March 2:

North One West

Douglas v Broughton Park

@ Port-e-Chee ko 2.15pm

Lancs Cheshire Three

Vagabonds v Mossley Hill @ Ballafletcher ko 2pm

Women’s NC North West One

Vagabonds v Crewe & Nantwich

@ Ballafletcher ko 2pm

Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield

all ko @ 2.15pm

PDMS Southern Nomads v Castletown

@ King William’s College

Douglas Celts v Western Vikings @ Port-e-Chee

Ramsey B v Emerging Nomads @ Mooragh Park