Douglas Casuals met Southern Nomads at a bitterly cold Ballakilley for a friendly in which some old heads supplemented an otherwise very youthful Douglas side.
The game was preceded by a minutes applause to mark the sad passing of Nomads player Sami Benbatoul.
Nomads started brightest, and after a number of attacks around the fringes were repelled, wily fly-half Mark Young nudged a chip through for Rob Craine to give the home side the lead.
Douglas Casuals
Douglas teenagers Lewin Scarffe, Sam Cowin, James Gale and George Hotchkiss all punched well above their weight, leading the way with committed tackling to stop Nomads building momentum.
In possession, number 8 Ian Larson and Mario (Castletown lock stepping in) both showed themselves willing carriers to provide scrum-half Brendan Kelly with options as the makeshift Douglas team started to find their feet.
Fly-half Ollie Howard controlled the game with maturity; continually probing the Nomads defence, picking smart kicks and releasing battering ram centre Percy Hampton.
Nomads Ball
Nomads had much of the ball, but Douglas controlled territory and took a 7-10 lead into half time courtesy of tries from Howard and Larson.
As the game progressed the new combinations looked more settled and Nomads struggled to contain the lively Douglas backline.
As the game began to open up Craig Martin came into his own, punishing tiring defenders with mazy counter attacks and added two tries.
Conor McCaughan and Mark McGee rolled back the years to combine for McGee to go in under the posts, and Hampton crossed for a try after Craig McGee’s long-range break was chased down by the Nomads full back.
Gaps & Conversions
Howard found gaps and added his second and also knocked over three conversions.
Man of the match Jack Rowlands filled in at hooker, combining his usual flair with a new found appreciation for the driving maul. When Rowlands found himself stopped just short in the final play, McCaughan was on hand to dot down.
7-46 was a convincing final result for Douglas and it is positive to see so many young players making an impact as they take their first steps in senior rugby.
In what was a difficult day for all at Nomads, the game was played in a positive manner by both sides, a fitting tribute to Sami.
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