There is a famed Monty Python sketch where a group of old Yorkshire men exaggerate how tough they use to have it until they get to the point where they got up two hours before they went to bed and this was before Viagra. With all the holidays for Christmas and New Year I have some sympathy with them as I feel that I am writing this way before the end of the year. The factual content and accuracy of this preview may therefore be slightly less than many would otherwise be expected.

The main event is the resumption of Euromanx of league Rugby after the presumed excesses of the Christmas and New Year break as Douglas play host to Congleton. Rolling out the clichés Douglas will want to start the second half of the season strongly and I would expect the home side to come out firing on all cylinders as they seek to have the best possible start to the New Year.

Both sides will go into the match with plenty of confidence as whilst Douglas are well placed in the league Congleton after a difficulty start to the season have won three of their last four matches. This run being kicked off by a narrow 14 – 8 victory against Douglas at Congleton in November. Douglas were not at there best that day and even if you had imported in all the “chicken ranches” from Nevada onto the small narrow pitch of Congleton Douglas would still have struggled to score.

At home though Douglas should have be confident of victory as whilst Congleton may expect to compete upfront on the wide open pitch at Port E Chee they may struggle to live with pace and power of the Douglas backs and although Douglas will not be at full strength they should be able to put out a strong side.

Martin Higgins is a more than capable deputy for Ben Dutnall and I am sure he will enjoy his run out at Prop having spent an entire half on the left wing in the annual over 30s v under 30s club game where he looked about as comfortable as a penguin in a microwave. In the second row with Ben Kelly suffering from damaged ribs Terry Ditchfield should return to strengthen the line out options and Pete Moorhouse should come into the back row having been absent before Christmas studying.

The only definite absence in the backs is Gareth Leather who has been out for a considerable time now but with the plaster off his arm he should be in a position to start training again shortly. Also missing will be Dave Wood who though nominally a forward spends much of the time hanging around in the backs seeking the glory. He is not far away from resuming playing but at his age you can not be too careful so it is unlikely he will return to action until after he has been skiing in the New Year. He can then look forward to receiving back all the abuse he handed out from the touch line on boxing day.

Kick off for the match which will be sponsored by Wan’s Watersports has been brought forward to 2.00pm. I believe Wan’s Watersports sponsorship may have been a satirical comment on the recent weather but with it surprisingly promising to hold dry for once at a weekend I am sure the players will be grateful that for once the offer of a kayak to bring the kicking tee onto the pitch can be safely declined.