Douglas vs. Liverpool Collegiate by Gethin Taylor

The French might describe it as Le Crunch, but then they also set fire to our sheep which as a Welshman I find particularly upsetting so in my best American “Lets get ready to Rumble” as Douglas play host to Collegiate in a table topping clash.

Douglas should come into the match full of confidence following their superb away victory last week at Prenton. This currently leaves them third in the division on points difference as one of five sides level on six points. I am also hopeful that Douglas this week will be able to field one of their stronger sides, for the cynical amongst you this is not because full back John Bateson is on playing golf in Dublin, but rather because it should see the return of several players from holiday.

Chief amongst them is Captain Andy Malpass who I can only presume has been trying to enact some of Michael Palin’s travel exploits only not as successfully judging from the time he has been away. In his absence the side under Ben Dutnall have played outstandingly and although Andy will rightly reclaim his place Ben Kelly can consider himself a little unfortunate as the probable man to make way. Also hopefully returning will be Seb Jornneau, Gareth Leather and last season’s top try scorer Gwyn Davies.

There are though two slight injury doubts and both men are important to the Douglas side. Prop Martin Higgins and No.8 Dave Wood have shoulder and groin stains respectively. Although it is to be hoped one or both will play some part in the game as last weeks second half performance showed neither is irreplaceable and if neither make it then the Douglas squad has plenty of cover.

Lying immediately behind Douglas in the league are Liverpool Collegiate and this is what makes the game so intriguing. Both sides have also had pretty similar results against teams that both sides have played so there does not appear to be much between the two teams. Collegiate therefore do look to have improved from last year when Douglas beat them away before they refused to play at Port E Chee on the grounds they did not like the rain. To be fair it was fairly wet but they were perfectly happy for their second team to play Douglas 2nds. They do appear to have a strong defence and the crucial factor may be the number of chances each side take. Hopefully Douglas will have an advantage here as Douglas this year have yet to catch fire in attack and it is surely only a matter of time before the backs put this right.  

The game which is sponsored by Collins Stewart is scheduled to kick off at 2.30. Although the sponsors are investment advisors par excellance you might struggle to get them to invest your well earned wealth on the back of my tips especially as I got it wrong this week. However I am back on confident ground this week and although I expect a close game provided Douglas keep the penalty count down I believe home advantage will be crucial and Douglas will run out winners to keep them near the top of the league.