Douglas v Sefton by Gethin Taylor 

This preview is being fuelled by some of the local port as I sit by a pool in the Algarve watching the twin peaks of some of the local scenery bounce past. It is therefore slightly hard to turns ones mind to this weekend home Powergen league game against Sefton. Would any prospective burglars reading this though please note I will back home by the time this comes to press.

Douglas’s games against Sefton have generally been close competitive affairs although Douglas over the years have generally have had the better results, winning at home and sneaking the odd victory away. On their day Douglas are the better side but whilst it would be wrong to describe Sefton as the Port E Chee clubs bogey side Sefton have had a tendency to niggle Douglas out of playing their best rugby.

The form this year indicates that Douglas again must be favourites as both sides have had home victories against Runcorn but Douglas’s was by the much more impressive score line. This was in a game in which Douglas’s did not play well, in truth they did not need to, and although they narrowly lost away to one of the title favourites two weeks ago this was a much more impressive performance and they will be looking to repeat that at home this weekend.    

Douglas will again not be a full strength as Captain Andy Malpass will not be back in time from his holidays to take his place in the starting line up. Otherwise though Douglas should have the majority of the first team squad available including centre Gareth Leather who has now served his mandatory rest period having been concussed in the opening match of the season. With the front row playing well this season, a bit of added aggression in the back row and pace in their backs I would expect this to be too potent a mix for Sefton come 5.00 o’clock on Saturday.

The match which is being sponsored by Simcocks, your local friendly advocates unless they are your opponents in court in which case they are not so friendly, is scheduled to kick off at 2.30. Prior to this is an “international game” of touch rugby between a side comprised of South Africans and a combined Manx UK side. Touch rugby is becoming increasingly popular especially amongst retired players or those not wanting to take the physical knocks. This is shown by the numbers who tried the game during the summer at sessions organised by the Manx RFU and who continue to play at Douglas on a Wednesday evening. With a decent crowd expected I am expecting a Douglas win hopefully in style but as the last match between these two sides saw a 3 - 0 score line to Sefton I will take a win first.