Douglas versus seventh-placed Altrincham Kersal at Stelfox Avenue would give bragging rights to the winner.
Both sides being separated by just a solitary point and single Regional Two North West league position before kick-off.
AK would be a different prospect from the team beaten convincingly earlier in the season at Port-e-Chee, and Douglas were without their leading try scorer Sam McCord and influential back-rower Liam Kirkpatrick.
Coach Phil Cringle came into the Douglas front row to add some go forward, and re-jigged the back row with Harry Cartwright moving to number 8 and Blake Everson and Mark Oldfield on the flanks.
In the backline it was a debut for Jonty Cope at full back and Kyle Martin switching to wing.
Slow Starts
On the road previously, poor starts have handed opposition the initiative early on to leave Douglas chasing the game.
Saturday was no exception, as AK opened the scoring in the first minute following a missed tackle down the blindside.
Shortly afterwards, Cringle was yellow carded for slowing the ball when AK had the line at their mercy, but it seemed inevitable that AK would extend their lead.
Thirteen minutes in, and AK mauled over and kicked the conversion for 12-0.
Douglas did roar forward with the first good piece of possession they had, and when AK infringed at the breakdown Nathan Robson slotted the penalty from 30 metres and 12-3.
Douglas Napping
AK got back in their stride with two rapid tries either side of the half hour mark, the fourth and bonus point try being particularly disappointing from a Douglas perspective after a quick tap and go five metres from the Douglas line that seemed to catch Douglas napping.
Jonty Cope then broke through from full-back and was unfortunate not to capitalise when Martin looked clear. James Ross and Charlie Henthorn were menacing with possession, but scoring chances weren’t going to hand and it was 26-3 at the break.
Into the second half and back to the Douglas away fixture playbook.
Half backs Robson and Josh Duncan, looking more and more settled with each game at 9 and 10 respectively, were starting to pull the attacking strings but the AK defensive line was holding firm.
Then two blows for Douglas as their momentum was stunted. Handling errors when on the attack lead to AK counter attacks which in turn lead to two yellow cards for Douglas in the space of seven minutes.
The first to Ross for a 55th minute high tackle and the second for Robson after stopping a tap penalty when AK had promising possession in Douglas territory.
AK’s fifth try followed shortly after Robson’s yellow for 33-3, but from that point and Robson’s return it was Douglas who were to completely boss the final quarter of the game.
Out of Play
A try from centre Harry Hewson, who rounded his man having been given space down the right flank to dot down, was converted by Robson for 33-10 and Douglas at last turned the screw.
Multiple AK scrum penalties conceded should maybe have brought more reward, but the pressure wasn’t turned to points and in the end a penalty allowed AK to clear.
Man of the Match Cope scythed through a tiring AK defence and set sub Cal Dentith away on an arcing 40-metre run that was only stopped with a dangerous high tackle.
The referee awarded a penalty try with AK lucky to keep fifteen men on the field and 33-17.
Douglas were not done yet, and scored their third try through Duncan who sidestepped his man in midfield and strode clear to touch down.
Robson converted for 33-24, Simon Hoddinott and Ryan Wren emptied the bench, and Douglas looked on for an unlikely bonus point or two after the showing of the first forty.
Douglas had possession deep in AK territory and went through the phases with skipper Blake Snell, Oldfield and Cartwright driving on, but just when it seemed their patience would be rewarded, an 80th minute dab behind the AK defence was angled too close to the touchline and harmlessly ran out of play.
The final score was Altrincham Kersal 33- 24 Douglas.
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