The closest game on paper this Saturday in the Manx Shield is at Poulsom Park where Castletown host Western Vikings.

Town have a win under their belt already this season and should be a close match for Vikings who picked up a Manx Plate last Saturday and should be full of enthusiasm despite not having completed a Shield fixture yet.

The Viking pack was its usual combative self last Saturday, but it was fullback Harry Dawson who caught the eye.

His goal-kicking was impressive and a 45-metre effort came back off a post with a resounding clang which indicated he had the power for the long-range shot.

Mick Shipley has been Town’s form man so far, bagging 26 points in two games and he’ll be one to watch.

If Vikings approach this game at full strength, they should be good for a win, anything less though and Town will take it.

Elsewhere in the Shield, the auld firm of Douglas Celts and Vagabonds Hornets meet at Port-e-Chee.

Douglas will start as clear favourites after their excellent win against Ramsey first team last week in the cup.

Vagas did show some early Shield form but are likely to struggle this week.

Finally, Ramsey B make the long trip south to King William’s college to take on defending champions Southern Nomads.

Despite losing three from three, Ramsey are very capable of stringing phases together and Nomads shouldn’t take them lightly.

That said, a Nomads win is still the likely outcome.

DAVE CHRISTIAN

FIXTURES: OCTOBER 19

North One West

Douglas v Broughton Park @ Port-e-Chee ko 2pm

Lancashire/Cheshire One

Ramsey v Ellesmere Port

@ Mooragh Pak ko 1.30pm

Lancashire/Cheshire Two

Vagabonds v Oswestry @ Ballafletcher ko 1pm

Women’s NC North West One

Vagabonds v Broughton Park

@ Ballafletcher ko 2.15pm

Manx Shield all ko 2.15pm

Castletown v Western Vikings @ Poulsom Park

Douglas Celts v Vagabonds Hornets

@ Port-e-Chee

PDMS Southern Nomads v Ramsey B

@ King William’s College