Last weekend (March 2) Douglas were unable to capitalise on scrum domination and lost to Bowdon, 29 – 8.
Wet and windy conditions at Clay Lane didn’t detract from an entertaining match, but ultimately Douglas came to rue a fistful of handling errors and a misfiring line-out to remain 8th in Regional Two North West.
Scrum domination
Ex-New Zealand international Sam Tuitupou crashed through midfield after 5 minutes for the opener, converted by Jonny Edwards for 7-0, but the first scrummage after a Bowdon handling error saw Douglas muscle forward.
Penalties followed as Douglas put the Bowdon scrum through the wringer, eventually within range for Luke Hyland to convert a 20th minute three-pointer from a difficult angle.
Shay Waterworth and Sam McCord cut intelligent running lines out wide when Douglas countered, both sides preferring territorial gain via the boot, but Bowdon in the 36th minute threatened.
Douglas scrambled in defence, and a quick lineout throw saw prop Sam Haley dive in to the corner for 12-3. More Douglas penalties from the Bowdon scrum back-peddling came to nought, with kicks to the corner going unrewarded as the Douglas line-out stuttered.
After the break, Douglas looked more positive with ball in hand as Kyle Martin scarpered clear, and it was Bowdon’s defence upping their game to force Douglas errors.
A third home try from winger Luke Rink was converted for 19-3, and again Douglas took the initiative in the tight.
A yellow card saw Bowdon prop Matty Banlin off for persistent infringement at the scrummage, but Douglas couldn’t make the advantage count on the scoreboard.
Two Bowdon tries in 10 minutes once Banlin had been restored sealed the result and the try-bonus points, yet still Douglas were pounding away up front.
A ruck penalty in very kickable range was tapped quickly and Douglas, via several pick and goes, at last thundered over via a deserving Simon Hoddinott and 29-8.
Douglas Squad – Owen Carvin, Jack Loughnane, Simon Hoddinott, Conor Garland, Ralph Clarke, James Good, Blake Snell (cap), Angus Wheeler, Kyle Martin, Luke Hyland, Harry Hewson, Shay Waterworth, Wilf Kermode, Cal Dentith, Sam McCord, Rob Todd, Oli Corkish, Joe Corkish.
Next up
This Saturday (March 9) Douglas will face Kirkby Lonsdale on home turf at Port-e-Chee, with a 2:15pm kick off.
If promotion and relegation follows last seasons mathematics, Kirby Lonsdale are on a knife edge of survival.
Their run to the line after Douglas includes leaders Birkenhead Park, second placed Bowdon and Crewe & Nantwich in fourth, and it’s a 5-point margin to Winnington Park above.
Douglas have reason to be cautious though, as two away wins, an away draw and two bonus points at Burnage last time out show KL won’t be going quietly.
They certainly won’t be keen on relegations in successive seasons, having subsided from Regional One North West last term.
Douglas have every reason to perform as well they can. As a game in hand, points here would help in the chase of Whitchurch in 7th, and more importantly stretch away from Altrincham Kersal below.
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