Douglas 5 (5) v (19) 26 Kendal

A small contingent of support accompanied the team to the Isle of Man. Coach to Liverpool airport and 20 minute flight to Ronaldsway. Amazingly all the players had completed their landing forms and Covid declarations so we arrived with a full squad.

Heavy rain was forecast and duly obliged as we arrived to a warm welcome as only the third visiting team this season.

The pitch was reminiscent of the ‘old’ Mint Bridge, boggy and muddy in parts. It was agreed that we kick off early at 2pm as the light was already fading. Steve Nelson had a back spasm and did not start, with Alistair Thompson (teabag) replacing him at 12 and Joe Cook coming off the bench to the wing.

Within 5 minutes we scored with Glenn Chesher going over from a maul (0-5) followed by a similar move with Chris Evans scoring and Parky converting (0-12).

Douglas were tough opposition with our scrum under pressure and our lineouts failing to deliver clean ball. Douglas scored (5-12) and unfortunately Chris Evans had to come off with a chest/rib injury, replaced by Alex Ryder, who had a good game off the bench.

Nick Carlton scored just before halftime to leave us (5-19) ahead at the break.

The second half produced a penalty try for us as Dan Shorrock was high tackled in the act of scoring wide out. Douglas could not score again despite many attempts and we finished with a bonus point win (5-26).

It was good to see younger players having an opportunity to gain match experience and Joe Fiddler making his 1st team debut off the bench.

Unfortunately Tom Moulton popped a rib cartilage late in the game and this leaves us with selection issues for Vale next week.

We were grateful for the warm hospitality from the home side and look forward to seeing them in better weather in April.

Summary kindly supplied by Stephen Green

Link to Douglas website (no report yet)

PRE-MARCH SUMMARY

The only change in the pack selected was Matt Houghton coming in for Steven Nelson (but keep reading)

Behind the pack it was a bit of a different story with Glen Weightman the only one wearing the same shirt as last week
Lewis Kincart moves from 11 to 9
Dan Shorrock re-joins the team at 11 after a week off
Steven Nelson 6 to 12 (then to bench)
Nick Carlton 14 to 13
Alistair Thompson sub to 14
Chris Park sub to 15

Alex Ryder, Joe Fidler and Joe Cook (started in place of Steven Nelson) were named on the bench

OTHER RESULTS

A warning for next weekend as Vale became only the third team to stop Stockport getting full points.

Manchester ended Atrincham Kersal's run of picking up points in all games

I am told Carlisle's game was off as they had no fit props

TABLE

We stay fourth as Manchester and Waterloo also picked up bonus point wins - but we still have those two games in hand.