At Mooragh Park, Douglas Celts took a big step toward the Manx Cup final with their second win in as many rounds against Ramsey.
Ramsey were confident that the recent Counties Three league win against Dukinfield would stand them in good stead, and started the stronger with a breeze at their backs to dominate territory in the sporadic rain.
But the Celts were solid in defence, and held an edge at scrum time where Ralph Clarke, Aaron Mason and Dickie Bell ruled the roost. Lewin Scarffe took a heavy high tackle on the wing and was replaced, and it took half an hour before Dan Kelly stroked a penalty over for Ramsey and a 3-0 lead.
Some Misses
Douglas had already squandered a chance or two on the back of Craig McGee bursts and Mason’s burly contributions, but they weren’t about to miss a third.
Mark Oldfield clattered through defenders for a textbook back-row supporting score and although Craig Martin missed the conversion, it was a lead into the break with the elements to come in their favour.
Shay Waterworth at number 10 duly kept Ramsey pinned back, and Martin scorched over in the 45th minute after the Douglas forwards, with Conor McCaughan and Percy Hampton at the helm, set the table.
Few Changes
Martin added the two point conversion, and Douglas rang a few changes from the bench.
Ian Larson added real fizz, and when Oldfield went in for his second try at 3-17 midway through the half, Stan Cubbon, Jack Rowland and Chris Bollen joined the fray.
As Ramsey tried to run from deep with 10 minutes left, Bell capped a strong performance by intercepting and strolling over for the bonus-point try, Martin adding the extras for 3-24.
Ramsey’s Josh Kelly was red-carded for a 79th-minute swing of frustration, and Douglas need one point to guarantee a place in the final where they may yet meet Ramsey in a re-run.
Douglas Celts Squad: Ralph Clarke, Aaron Mason, Richard Bell, Conor McCaughan, Matty Clague, Craig McGee, Mark Oldfield, Percy Hampton, Jonty Shimmin, Shay Waterworth, Sam Clark, Craig Martin, Wilf Kermode, Lewin Scarfe, Zak Wickman, Chris Bollen, Conor Garland, Rhys Moore, Carl Markl-Ferns, Ian Larson, Jack Rowley, Stan Cubbon