Newton-le-Willows v Douglas by Gethin Taylor

Confidence is a key element in any sport. If a team is short of confidence then it will tend to under perform. When you are confident every pass appears to stick, every bounce of the ball goes your way. Having convincingly beaten Runcorn in their opening league match Douglas should go into their first away fixture full of confidence however to preserve this fragile bubble it would be advisable for Douglas players to please look away now unless they believe that they may be overconfident and a dose of healthy scepticism is in order.

  It would be unfair at this early point of the season to say that Runcorn will be the whipping boys of the league this season. They have a big pack and a bit of pride and will certainly on their day cause some sides a problem but generally you can see them struggling near the foot of the table. Newton Le Willows are at the other extreme and my tip to win the league. This tip should sensibly be ignored as I also tipped them to win the league last season after they did the double over Douglas. They started the season strongly last week with a 29 – 11 home win against Trentham and although Douglas are full of confidence for what may prove to be the toughest match of the season it is probably not the best fixture to go into with a few key players missing.

  Of last weeks victorious side definitely missing are Captain Andy Malpass, fellow second row Terry Ditchfield and John Ledwidge who are on holiday. Gareth Leather who was concussed by a dangerous tackle in the game will also be absent as he must serve a compulsory rest period. With Lloyd Jones unlikely to be available that is a nucleus of key & experienced players unavailable. There is cover though and in the backs Ben Scott is likely to step in with Seb Journeux moving to the centre from the back row. With Ryan Wakefield on holiday Ben Kelly and Stuart Robbins are likely to paired in the second row.

  This is still a strong side and although there might be a weakness at the line out there is still enough talent and ability in the side to take the game to Newton Le Willows. Newton can be beaten and Douglas gave them a fright with a similar side in the corresponding fixture last year. At home last season the difference in the two sides was really just one of the Newton flankers. If he can be stopped from making ground and getting the ball away Douglas have a chance.

  Douglas do have the ability to return with a win however to do so they will have to get in the oppositions face and put in a committed aggressive defensive performance. At times in the past Douglas have let sides come at them too much and Newton are too much good a side to give time & space to. A defeat away from home at this early stage in the season to one of the better sides would not be disaster. What will be more important is the manner of their performance and despite winning last week they will be looking to improve. A Douglas victory though would really make other sides sit up and take notice but if I had to put somebody else’s money on the result I would predict a home win.