As the Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield nears its conclusion we’re left with a handful of matches still to be played.

The only game on the card this Saturday is at QEII High School where Western Vikings take on title chasers Southern Nomads.

Nomads are chasing in more than one way though. As well as the Shield, they have their eyes set on a Cheshire Plate final against Ellesmere Port on Easter weekend and this is their last opportunity to give the Plate squad some game time.

Vikings have had a fairly good season. They’ve made two of the minor finals and could well finish in third place in the Shield which would be their highest finish since winning it in 1998.

Their standout players are skipper Liam Sweeney and Alex Gibson in the forwards with Danny McElroy and Ollie Creasey in the backs.

They play a simple and direct style and when they do it well, they’re difficult to counter.

Nomads on the other hand have been bubbling away but their intermittent fixture list has yielded a stream of walkovers and big wins which haven’t really benefitted them.

Skipper Rob Keelan is the danger man. He’s an all-round menace to the opposition and creates opportunities in attack and defence.

Harry Catlow is a big strike runner and will punish any side who allow him space and with Mark Young pulling the strings at 10, Nomads are a match for most.

They’ll start as favourites but Vikings will give them a good workout ahead of their big Cheshire final.

Fixtures: Saturday, March 24

North One West

Carlisle v Douglas @ Carlisle

South Lancashire/Cheshire Division Two

Vagabonds v Oldershaw @ Ballafletcher ko 2pm

Lancashire/Cheshire Three

Ellesmere Port v Ramsey @ Ellesmere Port ko 1.30pm

Women’s NC North West One

Crewe & Nantwich v Vagabonds @ Crewe

Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield

Western Vikings v PDMS Southern Nomads @ QEII ko 2.15pm

Junior Tour Match

Ramsey U13 v Southport U13 @ Mooragh Park ko 12.30pm