WALLASEY v DOUGLAS

  With the skiing season being in full swing and several of the Douglas squad heading off for the Alps this weekend I feel that I should really be writing a snow report than a rugby preview. This is reinforced by the fact that the away trip with Douglas not at full strength could be one of the toughest of the season.

Wallasey currently lie equal second in the division and are one of four teams behind current leaders Manchester Wanderers. Douglas lie a further three points back. Wallasey have been a side that although near the top all season being honest I felt were flattered by this position however as last week they became the first side to beat Manchester Wanderers all season I have now revised this opinion.

Wallasey are a side with a good mixture of experience and youth but they are beatable if Douglas play well on the day. Douglas showed this earlier in the season when they lost narrowly at home in a match they could and should have won having failed to turn possession into points. This they can not do this weekend if they are to win, nor must they easily concede possession when they have territory as Wallasey have a superb kicker who even under pressure will kick the ball fifty yards to clear his lines.

A lot will depend on the side that captain Andy Malpass can select from as he is already missing five first team regulars skiing or injured and can ill afford to leave any more behind. He will though welcome back Den Dutnall and hopefully Seb (I ignore three man overlaps one yard from the line) Jeanneau can be slotted into the back row as their physical presence was sorely missed last week against Congleton although Douglas still won.

It is the backs where there is a greater dilemma as with both Martin Reeny and John Bateson unavailable Douglas will have to select there third fly half of the season. I think we can only be grateful that Dave Wood is one of those unavailable. In all probability if Steve Fox Hulme is available Jon Hill will probably move to fly half and provided the experience of players such are John Ledwidge, Gwyn Davies and Ben Manuja are available it may be time to blood some of the youngsters who have done so well for he B team in recent weeks when they have recorded back to back wins.

Douglas though will go into the games as underdogs. At full strength I would have had this as a fairly even game but if Wallasey show the form of last week and with Douglas short a few key players the odds must be against the Manx side but not enough to make it a sure fire bet

GETHIN TAYLOR