Reports 2007-8 Season (scroll down for earlier previews)  - By Gethin Taylor

DOUGLAS 15 v MOSSLEY HILL 10

I am not sure if Douglas had started believing their own publicity but for forty minutes they played as if they only had to turn up to pick up the points. To be blunt they were fairy awful against a large determined Mossley Hill outfit who were fielding probably their strongest side of the season.

On this form Mossley Hill would have given most of the sides in the league a game and as their coach said at full strength they are not a bad team, their problem being that they are not often at full strength. In the first half they took the game to Douglas and drew first blood through a penalty from their full back Nick Lodge. With the wind at their backs they had the better of the possession and territory but fortunately they did not have the backs to make the best use of the all possession they had.

Douglas by contrast looked much more dangerous with ball in hand but were making too many mistakes against a tight deference as they tried the difficult pass rather than going to ground and recycling the ball. Mossley Hill fed off the mistakes and on the half hour fly half Stephen Fowler barged over from short range for the opening try. With Nick Lodge converting to give Mossley Hill a 10 – 0 lead it appeared they had not read the script.

If they had maintained that lead until half time the second half might have been a real up hill struggle for Douglas but they were thrown a life line by the Mossley Hill blindside flanker who irresponsibly got himself sin binned for two tackles so late they were almost posthumous. With the visitors a man down Douglas finally mounted some concerted pressure and with the minutes to half time being counted down they finally got some reward through a penalty from Bryn Snellgrove to turn around 10-3 down at the interval.

The interval probably came at the right time for Douglas as they came out as if they had received a Gatland/Edwards team talk. They also rejigged the side bringing on Andy Jones, Alex Nicholson and the experience of Peter Moorhouse. It would be unfair to state that Mossley Hill came out playing like England after the break but for the majority of the half they found themselves on the back foot Douglas tried to put more pace on the game. Within 7 minutes Douglas had levelled the score as from a well work set move as Bryn Snellgrove put Alex Nicholson through a gaping hole, although with Alex being about 4 foot nothing most holes would appear large to him, to score under the posts in his debut league match.

Although Douglas were bossing the game in terms of territory Mossley Hill were not about to capitulate and fought tooth and nail to prevent Douglas getting ahead. Half an hour is along time to have to defend and after several close calls Douglas finally got the decisive score when Bobby Ranscombe pinched the ball at a scrum and kicked up field. Although he knocked on as the ball bounced away from him, Douglas took the resulting scrum against the head and with the Mossley Hill defence lying deep captain Jon Hill made a fine break, although he was caught yards from the line flanker Pete Moorhouse was hand to dive over for the winning score with 7 minutes remaining on the clock.

There was time for Mossley Hill to mount a last attack as their large pack put the Douglas eight under pressure from the kick off. But Neil Killey who had a fine game at No.8 and was my man of the man for the tidying up he did at the base of a scrum was under pressure made the hard yards when required and the boot of Bryn Snellgrove relieved any pressure as Douglas saw out the last 5 minutes in relative comfort although they missed a couple of kicks a goal which if they had gone over would have been harsh on the tenacious and committed visitors.

TRENTHAM 0 v DOUGLAS 48

If there were any doubts about Douglas ’s promotion credentials then surely there were once and for all dispelled by this eight try demolition of 2^nd place Trentham, a side that had not been beaten at home for two and a half years and this season had on average conceded last than 5 points a game on their home patch.

Just as in their previous outing the key to Douglas ’s victory was their fast start which was especially impressive since they had very limited warm up and preparation time due to the length of journey. Maybe it should be a new practice as from the start they tore into Trentham with the forwards especially outstanding. The line out, which had been the subject of a special session in training this week, was superb and Douglas time and again ran set plays off it to tie in the Trentham back row and give their backs more freedom. This was also helped by Trentham being unable to move the game to their smaller pitch as they had a second team game, and although the ground was heavy the Douglas backs had more room than they expected and made good use of it

Within the first quarter Douglas hit Trentham with an opening salvo of two converted tries as first Ryan Maddox and then Captain John Hill went over. This was the proverbial dream start as Trentham are not used to leaking tries at home let alone going behind and having kicked Trentham out of the box seat Douglas were in no mood to relinquish it. Whereas against Eagle last week Douglas had relaxed their grip they were not going to make the same mistake again and they had the game not only by the throat but were jumping up and down on it in their stilettos.

The second quarter saw no let up from Douglas and further tries from Bryn Snellgrove emanating from a set line out play, James Creasey and Andy Hollis who obviously had forgotten his non stick Teflon gloves this week, two of which were converted saw Douglas 33 – 0 up at the break and not just out of sight but showered, changed, home and sitting in the comfy arm chair puffing at the proverbial pipe.

The second half was never going to match the first as Douglas were playing up the slope and against the wind but Trentham were not able to utilise these as they would have liked as chasing the game they had to keep the ball in hand rather than play a kicking territorial game. They were also getting no change from the Douglas line out and also the Douglas defence which was magnificent all day, especially the first up tackling. With the victory in the bag captain Jon Hill’s laid down the challenge to the team at half time to not only to “win” the second half  but to keep their own line in tack for the first time this season. A challenge the Manx side were more than ready to respond to as they added further tries from James Stamp, Pete Moorhouse and a second for Andy Hollis.

Douglas have now in their past three fixtures beaten all there realistic promotion challengers and stand proudly top of the league, six points clear, although St Edwards Old Boys have a game in hand. Whilst in previous years they have always been in and around the promotion places this season with six games to go Douglas have their destiny in their own hands. Indeed there are only realistically two teams who can stop them finishing top. They are Douglas themselves if they stop putting the work in believing it is in the bag and St Edwards Old Boys if they win all their remaining games and Douglas slip up twice. But based on this performance against a full strength Trentham side, who by their own admission had targeted this game and despite the scoreline did give Douglas a hard game, I can not see that happening and whilst the champagne may not be on ice at present this was surely a defining game in Douglas’s season and one that I only have one criticism off. It leaves me virtually no room to plug an equally hopefully emphatic score line to Wales at Twickenham next week at the start of the RBS Six Nations!

DOUGLAS 27 v EAGLE 10

There is a witty ditty which begins; if I had the wings of an Eagle, and it continues to fairly aptly describe what Eagle fully intended to do to Douglas ’s promotion ambitions on Saturday. However there is a difference between talking the talk and walking the walk though and like so many other sides this season their aspirations were blown away as Douglas hit the visitors with an opening salvo of 13 points in the first quarter of an hour to leave the Manx side in the box seat, a position which they did not really relinquish the whole game.

In surprisingly good conditions considering the heavy rain, the opening score of the match was not long in coming as Bryn Snellgrove stoked a penalty within 5 minutes of the start but it could have been so much better for the Manx side as they had already spilled the ball with try line at their mercy. That did not matter though as after Douglas had snaffled an interception, some good quick recycling and interplay between the forwards and the backs the ball saw flanker Kev Spicer go over for the opening try on eight minutes. With winger Andy Hollis sent over on the quarter hour mark it was almost a point a minute and Douglas were if not out of sight well set.

However Eagle are not lying fourth for no reason just a couple of points behind the second promotion place. Like Douglas they like to put pace on the game and spread the ball wide. The side they played on Saturday also put pay to the claim on their website that they have one of the smallest sides in the league and they started to put their big men into the game to try and draw in defenders and create the overlap. They struggled though to pierce the Douglas defence which at times was penalised for illegally slowing the ball down. This played into Eagles hands as employing the quick tap and go they were able to make easy ground before the Douglas defence was aligned and from one such move on the half hour mark right wing Luke Stacey went over to narrow the gap to 13 – 5.

Eagle now had their tails up and were hunting the seconding score which would have put Douglas under pressure and the score seemed certain to come as Douglas were temporarily reduced to 14 men for one professional foul too many as Eagle camped on the Manx line. However despite being a man down the Douglas pack did not yield and the Eagle fly half went for a cross field kick, however this was poorly executed and the ball bounced invitingly up for Andy Hollis to race 80 meters in the last play of the half and score under the posts for Douglas when the odds had seemed on an Eagle try.

With Bryn Snellgrove adding the extras Douglas were now had a comfortable 20 – 8 lead at the break and the second half whilst full of intensity never had the excitement as Eagle were forced to chase the game. For a long time they monopolised possession but not the territory as they kept the ball in hand looking for an opening, but Douglas pounced on every mistake and employing a good kicking game they simply marched the visitors back time and time again.

In fact it was Douglas who looked the more likely to score as they had the better attacking platform but the decisive score came from yet another Eagle error, with the ball going to ground, Douglas hacked on and Pete Moorhouse was leading the race before being hauled back when certain to score. Referee Bob Doyle had no hesitancy in awarding the penalty try and with the conversion added Douglas were home and hosed although centre Chris Taylor had the last word for the visitors with a try in the dying minutes.

The result cemented Douglas ’s place at the head table, four points ahead of the chasing pack with only defeat so far this season. In consecutive weeks they have seen off two of their three closest promotion rivals. Next week it is the third as they travel to Trentham and a win there and with six games to go they could almost be putting the champagne on ice.

ST EDWARDS OLD BOYS 17 v DOUGLAS 18

For once in my life I am prepared to be something I have not previously been accused off and that is to be premature. In addition I am almost prepared to be optimistic, which is generally difficult for somebody who has seen to many new Welsh dawns and English over achievement in rugby, but whisper it quietly but this result should be the import cornerstone that sees Douglas being promoted at the end of the season. Certainly it is now only theirs to throw away.

With eight games to go it was to early to describe this as a winner takes all game but in the modern parlance it was a definite four pointer as the winner would stand top of the league come the end of the day. A win for Douglas would also put them in a dominant position, four points clear of their nearest rivals who still have to play each other leaving Douglas with a reasonable run in for the title but more importantly for promotion. It was therefore a surprise to see Douglas not start strongly which if not their hallmark this season has been better than their previous sleepwalk through the opening minutes. It is probably also a testament to the importance that St Edwards had also placed on the fixture and within a quarter of an hour the home side had raced to a ten point lead through a penalty and a try for their centre after sustained pressure for the opening quarter.                    .

Considering how St Edwards had come back in the reverse fixture against Douglas, to inflict the only defeat in the league to date on the Manx side the omens did not look good but the visitors were coming into the game and whilst the scrum was under pressure the line outs were secure and from these Douglas set up a series of rolling mauls which St Edwards struggled to combat except by illegally collapsing. With Bryn Snellgrove having brought his kicking boots, Douglas penalised these infringements, first when Bryn kicked a penalty before, from an attacking line out Douglas set up another maul and drove for the line. With Kev Spicer well protected at the back it was a simple matter for him to ground the ball and with the conversion added the game was level after 25 minutes.

Buoyed by the score Douglas began to control of the game and apply concerted pressure on the St Edwards defence. St Edwards though stood strong though until the dying seconds when after a series of attacks Douglas won quick ball with space and numbers to use it. The ball was spread quickly left and with Ryan Maddocks left with a simple 2 on 1 he drew the full back before sending Andy Hollis over in the corner for a well executed try to give Douglas a 15 – 10 lead at half time as the conversion attempt shaved the post.

With coach Paul Snellgrove having travelled the half time team talk was simple. To expect a second half fight back but if Douglas could start strongly and keep doing the basics well the game was there to be won. The expected strong St Edwards opening to the second half did not materialise as they were temporarily reduced to 14 players for collapsing yet another maul and with Bryn Snellgrove calmly stroking the penalty. Douglas now had the two score lead they were looking for to give them a bit of comfort and they seemed happy to concentrate on protecting this lead rather than to try and play to much rugby and risk throwing the game away. Even when St Edwards were back up to their full complement Douglas controlled the game and with scoring chances at a premium it appeared that Douglas had the game won approaching the final minutes.

However St Edwards are not standing high in the league for nothing and with less than five minutes on the clock they turned the ball over and their flying right winger was given one of his few chances to show what he could do with the ball. With the Douglas cover caught napping the converted try narrowed the gap to one point and shredded nerves for those on the touch line but the Douglas players were having none of it and from the restart they simply controlled the ball and territory to see out time and leave the Douglas jubilant at the final whistle.

It was yet another solid team performance and it would be invidious to single out one as man of the match. However in a side with an average age of under 23 it was good to see yet another 17 year. Will Latta, old make his debut on the wing. In a high pressure game he did not appear out of place and it makes you wonder how many more of these youngsters Douglas are going to unearth before the end of the season.  

Douglas 74 Ellesmere Port 3

Douglas run in twelve tries for Christmas

By Dave Christian

A rampant Douglas blew away visitors Ellesmere Port 74-3 in Euromanx South Lancs/Cheshire Div 3 on Saturday with little general Bryn Snellgrove weighing in with a personal tally of nineteen points as his side did a proper hatchet job on the very disinterested looking visitors.

Douglas were out of the blocks after just three minutes. Trevor Christian's line out steal was quickly fired wide to Andy Hollis who showed everyone a clean pair of heels down the left wing for the opening try. Bryn Snellgrove added the extras and they were 7-0 up without really breaking a sweat.

Ellesmere Port replied quickly. The pack forced an opening on the right and Douglas were caught offside in their own twenty two. Stand off Paul Millington knocked over the penalty to make it 7-3 and mark the beginning and end of any revival hopes his team may have had.

By the eleventh minute Douglas were over again. Gwyn Davies' run was halted in midfield but when the ruck was cleared quickly there was an opening on the left. As the ball was moved Ryan Maddox came off his wing as an extra man and he slipped through the Ellesmere Port defence for a well worked try to make it 12-3. Five minutes later it was 17-3. Bobby Ranscombe charged down an attempted clearance and some fast hands got it wide to Hollis for his second.

The visitors were visibly shaken by the pace of the Douglas backline and from the restart they leaked another try. Trevor Christian fielded the kick and prop Danny Creer rolled off the side of the maul and found acres of open space ahead of him. He made the initial break then drew the full back before offloading to Niall Killey who finished it off under the sticks. Bryn Snellgrove added the extras and it was 24-3 with twenty minutes left in the first half.

From then on, the game became something of a procession. On twenty eight minutes Trevor Christian and James Stamp forced an error which gave Gwyn Davies a try. Bobby Ranscombe went sixty metres for a neat solo try, Kevin Spicer was driven over by the pack for a team try and Pete Moorhouse powered home from a restart which when converted by the Brynmeister brought up the half century and a 50-3 lead at the break.

From the kick off of the second half it was more of the same. Ben Dutnall broke into his annual sprint (well brisk trot at least) and Bryn Snellgrove stepped through a gap from the ruck to get his name on the try sheet. Pete Moorhouse bagged his second and after Snellgrove had converted both the score stood at 64-3. There was then a twenty minute injury break to allow Ellesmere Port's James Diamond some medical assistance with a nasty looking leg injury. It was later found to be broken and everyone at Douglas and in the local rugby community wish James all the best for a full and speedy recovery.

When the game eventually restarted, there was just enough time to allow Jeff Miles and Gwyn Davies to score additional tries for Douglas to help boost their points difference. They now sit two points clear and there was even some post match cheer when news came through that promotion rivals Eagle had slipped up away at Holmes Chapel which leaves Douglas in a pretty commanding position heading into 2008.

Douglas 14 V Prenton 3

I am sure all sports enthusiasts have their favourite memories of great performances or games. The Barbarians against New Zealand in 1973 when Gareth Edwards scored that try, Healingly in 1981, Borg v McEnroe at Wimbledon, the rumble in the jungle, Coe v Ovett, the current Arsenal side or Tiger Woods when at their best, Croatia’s third goal last Wednesday.

Memories of such great games, the flowing moves and the great scores can be wheeled out when watching games not played out at such a rarefied levels to give a flavour and comparison to a game just witnessed. Fortunately they can also be brought to the fore to while away the tedium of games such as this when most of the serious action was confined to the first few minutes of each half and thereafter the note pad and pen stayed safely tucked from the cold and the wind.

Overall this was a bit of a surprise as the game started very brightly with Douglas opening the scoring in the first five minutes when a good break by Bobby Ranscombe was well finished off by wing Andy Hollis. Prenton though showed that they were not here just to make up the numbers and using the wind well they pushed Douglas back and eventually caught the defence offside to convert a penalty from straight in front of the posts after ten minutes. That apart from another penalty shot which went wide was their sole chance of points in the first half and with Bryn Snellgrove getting a penalty for the home side, Douglas seemed happy to let the clock run down and go into the break 8 – 3 up.

Douglas again started the second half strongly and Bryn Snellgrove got a couple of early penalties to stretch their lead. From there you expected it would only be one way traffic but both sides failed to struggle the scores again as Douglas let several half good positions go begging through forcing the pass in the cold heavy conditions which were not helpful to running rugby. Both sides were also not helped by some slightly over officious refereeing as whilst there is no questioning the correctness of the decisions, and the officials did well to not to much niggling breaking out when Prenton in the second half tried to rile the Douglas youngster out of the game, occasionally in such games you would like to the referee let some decisions go to help the game flow.

The final score line of 14 - 3 line may look to be ultimately disappointing in that it was top against bottom and Douglas were at home but Prenton did not look a bottom of the table side except in one aspect and that being despite their possession even if they were still playing now they probably still would not like scoring a try. Just think England in the World Cup. Much of this was down to the Douglas back row who had an outstanding game with flankers James Creasey and Lawrie Williams nailing the Prenton No.8 every time as the visitors tried to set up attacks from the base of the scrum.

In addition whilst on paper before hand it might have seemed a good opportunity to boost the points difference you need to concentrate on the basics first and for promotion Douglas just need to keep on winning. With second place St Edwards Old Boys surprisingly going down at Holmes Chapel this now means that come the mid point of the season Douglas will remain top of the league where they have been all year but there is no room for complacency with three sides all within four points if they win their games in hand next week.
   

ELLESMERE PORT 5 V DOUGLAS 14

There is winning ugly and there is the friend of the one your mate is dancing with that even with your beer goggles on you are still not fancying much. This game was definitely one of the latter and even the most optimistic proponent would have struggled to say much in its favour.

The omens were not good from the outset as after a poor start to the season Ellesmere Port had reverted to type and brought back a lot of experienced heads into the side at the expense of their youth policy which they been perusing earlier in the season. Accordingly they had elected to on the narrowest of the available pitches in an attempt to negate Douglas 's perceived better fitness and quicker backs. Even if there had not been a fierce wind to dictate the game their was every indication that the ball would be stuck up the forwards jumpers for long periods and at times the backs just have well nipped into the clubhouse for a cup of tea such was there involvement in the game.

The only real hope for a spectacle lay with a strict referee able to stop the spoiling tactics of both defences and when this did not materialise we were left with a slug fest for eighty minutes which Douglas won by dint of two well taken tries in the first half from Danny Creer when he broke off the back of a well driven maul and from Bryn Snellgrove with a good individual try after throwing a couple of dummy scissors. With Bryn Snellgrove adding the conversions Douglas turned around with a fourteen lead to face the wind.

The second half was no real improvement on the first but facing the elements Douglas spent a considerable time on the defensive. However despite shipping one try midway through the half they never appeared in danger of letting slip the points and duly recorded their eighth win from nine games to remain top of the league.

Having played nine games in ten weeks they now have a deserved break before playing host to bottom club Prenton in what is not only a game they will expect to win but a game that they should target to win well and crank up their points difference. That game will see the mid point of the league season and provided they win that game a minimum of eight victories from their remaining ten games would see them promoted

EAGLE 12 v DOUGLAS 23

It may not have been a Hollywood blockbuster of a performance and it is unlikely to have a place in the annals of history along side Brynner, McQueen, Bronson, and Coburn but Douglas's win on Saturday, completed their own Magnificant Seven as they notched up their seventh consecutive win and remain unbeaten in the league so far this season.

This was a vitally important win for Douglas as Eagle were one of the chasing pack and every game is in the parlance a four pointer. A defeat for Douglas and the gap which they have worked hard to achieve would have closed, a win though sees another one of their main challengers start to slip back and a victory next week at home to St Edwards Old Boys would see Douglas with a six point gap over their nearest rivals all be it having palyed a game more.

The performance on Saturday was all about getting a result against a strong Eagle side who were promoted last year having had a few years out of the league whilst they reorganised. Solid up front and with strong centres they have the amunition to hurt sides but in a niggly game, Douglas never let let them get into their stride and put in an outstanding first half performance when playing against the elements to turn around 8 - 7 up courtersey of a try for young flanker Lawrie Williams, his first for the club and a penalty for? Bryn Snellgrove.

The second half performance by Douglas was not as clinical and it was as if subconsioucly they believed that with the elements now in their favour they had the game won. Their was a lack of snap to their play and although the secureing of the ball was good, presentation was slow and the backs were not given the room they would have liked. When they did move the ball they did look dangerous and were a threat out wide but it was not until the mid way point that Douglas extended their lead when after several phases left wing Andy Hollis was given a bit of room and he outpaced the Eagle defence for a try converted by Bryn Snellgrove to give Douglas a bit of breathing space.

It did not last long though as Eagle replied with a long period of pressure which Douglas manfully defended for a considerable period. However they were unable to win the crucial turnover ball to clear the lines and the presure eventually told when Eagle No.8 took a pop ball and? managed to force himself over. The conversion though was crucially missed to leave Esgle needing more than a penalty to take the lead.

With ten minutes left they thought they had secured the win when Andy Hollis went over for what apeared to be his second try only to find it called back for a forward pass. However a penalty extended the lead leaving Eagle needing a converted try to win the game. With the home side forced into chasing the game Douglas profited as Eagle were unable to kick away possesion. With the Douglas defence strong they were able to apply preesure and with the last play of the game in almost a carbon copy of his earlier score Andy Hollis went over to put a bit of gloss on the scorline.

Next week is the big one for Douglas as they take on St Edwards Old Boys who are presently their main rivals. It will be interesting to see what side Douglas select as so far this season they have backed the youngsters who have shown commitment to training and travelling. I can not see that changing next week but they may well strengthen the bench by pulling a few "old heads" from the second team which would be a pity for the seconds in what will be probably their toughest game of the season considering how well they have been doing this year

DOUGLAS 21 v TRENTHAM 5

It has not been a good week and weekend for English sport, what with the football, the rugby and the formula one. Fortunately the Isle of Man as an independent nation has been able to sit back and view with an impartial eye whilst results have gone much better locally. None more so than for Douglas who convincingly saw off promotion rivals Trentham before receiving a further boost later in the evening on hearing that Eagle had surprisingly dropped a point at Prenton.

This was Douglas's toughest home fixture of the season to date as Trentham were in the chasing pack immediately behind Douglas having only previously lost one game. They had shown their form the previously week when they convincingly beat a near full strength Oswestry side who are riding high a division higher. They are also a very similar side to Douglas in that they have a sprinkling of experience but plenty of youth and rely on fitness and technique rather than brawn and bulk.

It made for an intriguing if at times slightly error strewn encounter in what were near perfect conditions and it was a game that Douglas ultimately won because they put out there strongest front five of the season and won convincingly the battle of the tight. This was especially the case in the scrum where Trentham were missing a couple of first choice props and consequently were on the retreat all afternoon. Mind you as second row Mark Magee so eloquently put it they had plenty of practice in scummaging as the backs kept dropping the ball.

In ideal conditions it was surprising that so much ball went down and Douglas definitely blew several chances as a consequence. However Trentham were up very fast in defence and the centres and wings were putting in big but legal hits which probably resulted in eyes being taken off the ball. With both sides also at times failing to adapt to the referee in the first half and giving away silly needless penalties for handling in the ruck scoring chances were kept to the minimum, despite Douglas having the edge, with the sole score being a Douglas penalty for Bryn Snellgrove after eighteen minutes.

With half time beckoning that looked being the sole scoring of the first half but Douglas gave away yet another needless penalty in a harmless part of the pitch to give Trentham one last opportunity. From a close range line out they set up a catch and drive and after a serious of mauls blindside flanker Josh Collins forced himself over to leave the visitors 5 - 3 up at the break.

Douglas made a couple of tactical changes at the break and finally cutting out the errors they started to exert some pressure and after six minutes they regained the lead when some neat passing down the blind side put right wing Ryan Maddox away. A second penalty for Bryn Snellgrove then extended the lead before left wing Andy Hollis made the game safe after twenty minutes when he outpaced the Trentham cover after the ball had quickly been spun left.

The icing was put on the cake in the dying moments when substitute flanker Pete Moorhouse went over for Douglas 's third try after a flowing move saw Trentham finally run out of defenders. The only down side to the afternoon being an apparently serious leg injury to a Trentham player in the same move, although a quick trip to casualty revealed nothing more than some possible ligament damage, and the sending off of Douglas's Lee Illott in an unrelated incident. The general view of third parties and the Trentham players was that it was to say the least a trifle harsh but the officials can only give what they see, sometimes through a haze of bodies, and the expectation is he will not be banned at the subsequent disciplinary hearing.???

DOUGLAS 28 v MOORE 14

In the warm up to this match, which took up shortly prior to me taking up an invitation to join Lord Lucan at his reclusive home, it appeared to me a game of men against boys. The Douglas side was full of youth and inexperience with players still to decide what to do with their lives. Moore had the appearance that many of them had been there and got the T-shirt, although for one or two they might have struggled to get into the t-shirt.

With the Douglas missing some key regulars there were already concerns about the scrum and line out and it appeared that it would be a long day at the office as they would struggle to get any to secure any decent primary procession and the initial concerns were confirmed when Douglas were promptly shunted off their own scrum and promptly pinned back in their own half.

The resultant line out though secured did not exactly give confidence however the resultant play did as Douglas were a lot more dynamic than Moore and even when driving and mauling although giving away a considerable amount of weight the Douglas side appeared to have the edge. It was still a surprise though when Douglas took the lead after seventeen minutes when they secured an attacking scrum five meters out. Although it went backwards Neil Killey did exceptionally well to tidy up and after a couple of close drives to tie in the defenders scrum half Adrian Shimmin dived over unopposed.

The score should have shaken Moore into action, and although they hit back with a penalty three minutes through scrum half Louis Hollington their remained little urgency in their play. Moore were expecting great things of this player on his debut as he had apparently played for Rotherham , although by the end of the game they were doubting this as much as they were doubting my claims to Fijian ancestry. Their tactics also seemed baffling as whilst Douglas’s line out was better than expected at times it appeared about as secure as Northern Rock but Moore did not choose to kick for the corners and attack the line out. Equally at the scrums although they attacked the Douglas put in they seemed happy to do no more than secure their own and so the Douglas back row was never tied in and free to aggressively defend on the gain line. Much of this might have been done to fitness as the Moore pack saw the set piece as an opportunity to rest and although Moore stuck a penalty on the half time whistle to turn round 6 – 5 up Douglas with the wind and fitness in their favour now appeared favourites.

The third quarter of the game saw an exchange of penalties, but Douglas always looked the Moore threatening making several dangerous half breaks. They were not able to make the decisive break through though until Moore were temporary reduced to fourteen men when no.8 Ian Bradbury was sent to the sin bin after a referee John Higginbotham finally lost patience. Indeed it was a mystery to some how his cards had remained in his pockets so long especially after one particularly blatant and vicious trip.

Douglas made the numerical advantage pay and secured the victory with two well worked tries for Andy Hollis both of which Bryn Snellgrove converted to give them a commanding lead although the gloss was taken off from it when Moore No. 8 Ian Bradbury scored with the last play of the match as Douglas went to sleep.

Douglas will be very pleased with this result and performance as being far from full strength they could have slipped up. Instead they remain top of the league unbeaten.  TLC Learning Solutions man of the match was Douglas No.8 Neil Killey who was part of an impressive Douglas back row, but tidied up at the base of a retreating scrum superbly. Ryan Maddox also had an excellent outing in the centres where he completely dominated his opposite number who in pre match reports had been identified as one of the Moore danger men.

A Welshman with Fijian roots.

NEWTON LE WILLOWS 12 - DOUGLAS 53

Douglas maintained their 100% start to the season when they secured a comfortable victory away at Newton Le Willows which leaves them top of the league.  Eagle are the only other side undefeated however they have only played two league fixtures due to there being an odd number of teams in the league and their “rest” week falling early.

What is also pleasing for the Manx side is that their form is slowly improving game by game as they get some meaningful matches under their belt and their performance in the second half was by far their best this season after Newton Le Willows had made a real game of it for the first fifty minutes.

It was though a game that Douglas were never headed in as they took the lead early on from a well worked try for Christian Brew which was converted by Bryn Snellgrove who had a fine game with the boot. Chris unfortunately had to leave the game midway through the half with a suspected broken collar bone but x rays have confirmed no fracture and whilst it remains very sore he was able to fly back with rest of the team on Saturday evening.

Newton Le willows though stung by the early score hit back strongly and for the next 20 minutes threw everything at Douglas but were only able to cross the line once for the equalizing score. Having withstood the onslaught Douglas started to create chances of their own and first a penalty by Bryn Snellgrove followed by a try to Nick Horsthuis gave them a deserved 15 – 7 lead at the interval.

Although Douglas were eventually to run away with the second half it was Newton Le Willows who started the stronger and scored the opening try to narrow the gap to 3 points. That was as good as it got for the home side as Douglas took hold of the game by the scruff of the neck, and a hat trick of tries for Geoff Miles and two for James Wood all of which were converted by Bryn Sellgrove who also added a further penalty saw Douglas comfortably home.

Man of the Match for Douglas was winger Geoff Miles for his hat trick and some intelligent play. It was a just reward award for the commitment and effort that Geoff has put in over a number of years and which have seen him change from a gangly seventeen year old with all the coordination of Bambi on ice after seventeen pints to a player who has been on the verges for a while now of regular first team action for Douglas. Whilst not necessarily the most accomplished natural footballer he is strong, quick and rarely misses a tackle which are attributes that not every winger aspires to.

Next up is a home game against Moore followed by an away trip to Mossley Hill before they get their first weekend off. Douglas will be looking to pick up the points from both these games before sitting back to address sate of the league although early indications are that Douglas, Eagle, Trentham, Moore and St Edward Old Boys are probably the stronger sides in the division

GETHIN TAYLOR  

DOUGLAS 27 v HOLMES CHAPEL 20

Rather like attempts at procreation there is supposedly no such thing as a bad victory but this game seriously tested that maxim as two scratch teams put in error ridden performances that made the spectators question if they really should be at home doing some DIY and watching the paint dry. Or alternatively joining the wives and girlfriends with the drinks in the clubhouse as what was a very enjoyable and well attended lunch organised by Tony Wilson Spratt. Indeed or many it was the best part of the day.

There was no indication of the struggles to come for both players and spectators in the opening minutes as against the wind Douglas started strongly and a flowing move put left wing Ryan Maddox over in the corner to give Douglas a 5 – O lead after five minutes. With the ranting going on behind the visitors posts it seemed that if Douglas could have scored again quickly they could taken complete control of the game but instead it was  Holmes Chapel who started to boss the game after hitting back almost a immediately when a chip over the top stood up for the right wing to score.

With the conversion being added followed by a long range penalty Holmes Chapel held a 10 – 5 advantage after twenty minutes and when they extend the lead to 13 – 5 on 33 minutes. The game no longer looked to be he stroll in the park that Douglas had envisaged after five minutes.

Holmes Chapel should haven taken this lead into half time, but they were forced to reorganise after loosing their influential open sided flanker who, playing on the edge of the laws as all flankers do, had been a thorn in a Douglas side trying to secure good clean possession all after noon. With him off the field finally Douglas roused themselves and applied some pressure in the closing minutes of the half. With the final play Douglas were awarded a penalty and from the resulting attacking line out Richard Forster drove over from the back of a rolling maul set. With veteran Dave Wood adding the conversion Douglas would have been happy turning round at half time to only 12 – 13 down with use of the elements to come.

With probably some interesting words ring in their ears Douglas again started strongly and within five minutes had regained the lead when good interplay saw flanker Peter Moorhouse dive over and the expectation was for Douglas to take control of the game. But opportunities and chances came and went with simple scoring passes being dropped yards from the line with no defenders in sight until eventually on 22 minutes Douglas scored the try that gave them breathing space when they disrupted a scrum on the Holmes Chapel line and Neil Killey picked up to saunter over. With the conversion being added a 11 point lead the expectation was that finally Douglas would start to cut out the errors, boss the game and keep the scoreboard ticking over. But with the basics going out of the window and plenty of sloppy errors in their play they instead let Holmes Chapel into the game and with five minutes left on the clock they were punished when Holmes Chapel’s impressive outside center went over with barely a hand laid on home from a quickly taken penalty.

With the gap down to less than one score their was an anxious few minutes to survive for the Manx side but Martin Higgins was sent on to shore up the Douglas scrum and with Holmes Chapel not able to get again clean possession they were forced into desperate measures to try and regain the ball. One indiscretion too many was all Douglas need to see out the game as Dave Wood popped over a penalty with the final play of the match to give Douglas a scrappy if valuable win

GETHIN TAYLOR

PARKONIANS 8 v DOUGLAS 25

Douglas put in a solid if unspectacular performance in their opening league fixture away to Parkonians, but is proved more than sufficient to enable the Manx side to return home with the spoils.

In a match played in generally fine conditions it was a surprise to find that the match was for a long part dictated by the elements as a fresh wind blew straight down the pitch. With this in their faces in the first half Douglas’s main concern was ensure that at half time they remained in touch so that in the second half they could take advantage of the conditions. With a simple game plan to try and to eat up time and possession Douglas started strongly and had the first score on the board within ten minutes as Bryn Snellgrove chased a chip ahead to touch down for the opening try which he successfully converted to give Douglas a seven point lead.

That though was as good as it got for the Manx side as Parkonians used the wind conditions to dominate territorially and pin the visitors back. Although Douglas were adept at eating up time by retaining possession it was insufficient to keep Parkonians out and the home side were ahead at the interval 8 to 7 thanks to a try and a penalty however Douglas would have been more than happy with that slender deficit with second use of the conditions.

The second half was almost a mirror image of the first with intelligent kicking by the Douglas half backs. Bryn Snellgrove and Bobby Ranscombe keeping Parkonians pinned back and under pressure. Although tries were slow in coming Douglas regained the lead with a penalty and a drop goal from Bryn Snellgrove as he went through the card of scores.

Tries though for the visitors were almost inevitable and although kicking for territory does hand possession over Parkonians were struggling to clear the lines as under the pressure from the Douglas close defence they were unable to get clean secure possession. Forcing the pass to try and break the stranglehold the home side coughed the ball up once to often and Pete Moorhouse was on hand to dive over to make the game secure for Douglas mid way through the half. With Nial Bradley pouncing on a loose ball close to the line near the final whistle Douglas ran out comfortable enough winners without ever really get into top gear.

Next week Douglas will potentially face a much stiffer challenge when they are at home to Holmes Chapel who comfortable beat Prenton this weekend. Holmes Chapel struggled a bit last season after having been promoted but it would appear that they may be one to watch this season as last year Prenton were one of the promotion candidates until trailing off at the end of the season. It will take a few weeks before we see much shape to the league but to be successful Douglas need to be able to bank on their home form and whether or not this weeks results are an indication of respective strengths Douglas can not afford to slip up next weekend.

Gethin Taylor  

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