Douglas cast off the recent results shroud with a rampant and mostly disciplined performance at Port-e-Chee against fourth-placed Vale of Lune.
Bryn Snellgrove’s 10th minute 40-metre penalty was matched by Chris Bramwell’s similar effort for a 3-3 tense opening quarter in warm sunshine, until Douglas took a first-half 17-3 lead after hooker Gihard Visagie and prop Simon Hoddinott cemented the scrum advantage with thundering drives in the loose for tries.
Where Douglas had previously taken their foot off the gas, the second half was mostly pedal to the metal.
First Win
Scrum-half Brendan Kelly showed his coaching time with ex-All Black Mark Robinson was well spent, and his scoring supporting line in Snellgrove’s wake was top drawer.
Bramwell nailed a 35-metre penalty for 24-6, but Douglas centre Harry Hewson proved he was back in form.
Not satisfied with displaying unyielding defence, his twisting, elusive and explosive run from 20 metres out beat four defenders, and Douglas were running hot at 31-6 with the try bonus-point safely stowed.
Douglas Dominate Vale
Liam Kirkpatrick launching off the scrum base and skipper Blake Snell’s work rate made life difficult for the Vale defence, and with running repairs to Wilf Kermode and the introduction of Richard Bell, Alex Deering and James Ross from the bench, Douglas changed into another gear altogether.
Prop Ralph Clarke had a substantial edge on his larger opponent Mark Davenport in the tight, and Snellgrove’s sublime crossfield punt to Sam McCord’s touchline was inch perfect for the winger to dot down.
Snellgrove added a 58th-minute penalty, and Man of the Match Visagie scored his second after a training ground lineout catch-and-drive.
Snellgrove punished Vale indiscretion with a three-pointer after Vale lock Harry Fellows was red carded by referee Catherine Ansell, and McCord ran in his second nearing the whistle.
With Snellgrove’s 18-point contribution from the boot, Douglas at 53-6 banked the largest winning margin of the day in the Regional Two North West league and move up to 9th.
The finishing score was Douglas 53 – 6 Vale of Lune.
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