Unbeaten Manx Trophy leaders Douglas North head to Ballafletcher this Friday evening to take on Vagabonds under the floodlights.

Douglas were well matched against Ramsey last week with only one point in it at half-time, but their big bench moved things along after the break.

They beat Vagas 29-5 in the opening round at Port-e-Chee and current form suggests a Douglas win.

The lights, however, can be a leveller - under the high ball especially - and this could be a tight game.

The teams should be evenly matched up front: Aaron Mason was solid last Saturday for Douglas and the veteran Dave Hinks on the other side of the scrum knows all the tricks.

But Vagas are also strong in the front five and Luke Purdy is a much-experienced campaigner. The difference is likely to be in the back line where Ross McCulloch’s straight running is difficult to defend but Douglas have the raw pace of Kyle Martin and Charlie Henthorn, therefore they should just edge it.

It’s north versus south at Mooragh Park on Saturday with Ramsey hosting Southern Nomads in the return leg of their two games.

Ramsey won the first 32-12 at Ballakilley, but since then a youthful-looking Nomads side has lost out by one point away at Vagas and also denied Douglas North a try bonus point.

Ben Fry has been the form man for Nomads thus far, but Ramsey have Danny Howard in their arsenal. The former Western Viking has seven tries in four outings and is a danger anywhere on the field.

He did, however, pick up a knock last week and if unavailable his place could go to Brandon Atchison who ran in two for Ramsey’s B team on Saturday.

There are also three games in the Manx Bowl, with Vagas Ladies facing Vagas Hornets in the all-Vagabond affair at Ballafletcher. The men took the honours last time around and are likely to repeat this week.

At QEII in Peel, Western Vikings host Ramsey B. This was a tight affair at Mooragh Park, with Vikings just running away with it in the final quarter.

But Ramsey beat Castletown last Saturday and will be looking to build on their performance. A cameo from Jamie Arneil helped them out, but his availability this week is unknown. Expect another Viking victory here.

Finally, at the Field of Dreams, Bowl leaders Emerging Nomads face Castletown. The latter need to win as their nearest rivals Vagas Hornets are likely to pick up maximum points.

Youngsters Callum Smith and Josh Glover looked sharp against Vagas last time out and they beat Town 53-0 in their opener. Town look for their big players Kunal Patel and Jim Emmett to pry open defences but, if Nomads can keep them quiet, they should take the points.

Fixtures

Friday, November 13

Manx Trophy

Vagabonds v Douglas North

@ Ballafletcher ko 7.15pm

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Saturday, November 14

Manx Trophy

Ramsey v PDMS Southern Nomads

@ Mooragh Park ko 2.15pm

Manx Bowl

Vagabonds Ladies v Vagabonds Hornets

@ Ballafletcher ko 2.15pm

Western Vikings v Ramsey B

@ QEII ko 2.15pm

Emerging Nomads v Castletown

@ Ballakilley ko 2.15pm