At the weekend (March 9) Douglas Rugby Club took victory against visiting side Kirkby Lonsdale 23-17 in the Regional Two North West match.
The weather-postponed match in December caused the re-arranged fixture to land smack in the middle of the 6 Nations tournament, and several Douglas players were spectators at Twickenham with tickets that, when purchased last year, were on a free week-end.
Match report
Phil Cringle in for Owen Carvin, Joe Corkish making a first start in midfield, Brendan Kelly making his first league appearance of the season, and Guy Barrons returning after a long injury lay-off suggested a ring-rusty Douglas.
A blistering start put that notion to bed as Douglas shot out of the blocks for a 10-0 lead after 15 minutes with a useful breeze at their backs.
Luke Hyland converted a penalty after the KL defence yielded to scrum ascendency, and kicked a two-point conversion when industrious Douglas scrum-half Kyle Martin darted over at the base of a solid Douglas scrum for a try.
Douglas territory
Line-outs have been the occasional Achilles heel for Douglas, and losing another on their own throw set up KL in Douglas territory.
Several phases later KL flanker Fred Wallace burst over from a pick and go. A second Hyland penalty for 13-5 in the 38th minute came after a Ralph Clarke rumble, and as a margin of lead against a diagonal wind for the second 40 minutes, flimsy.
A 50th minute KL mauled try from front-row man Lenny Kwiczor, converted by Barrie Walker for 13-12, gave KL extra gas.
To victory
Douglas were pinned deep in their own half, and it was a moment of magic from Santander man of the match Martin that hauled Douglas upfield.
His break and 35-metre surge put Douglas on the front foot, and after Cringle and co re-cycled, Wilf Kermode was on hand to score his first league try.
Hylands conversion for 20-12 brought renewed pressure from KL as they fought for an opening, but over-eagerness at the ruck gave Sam McCord a 45-metre penalty kick which boomed over for 23-12.
Douglas skipper Blake Snell underwent some running repairs, and yellow cards for Angus Wheeler and replacement Sean Garland slowed Douglas momentum.
KL’s nimble lock John Lancaster ploughed over in the 65th minute to fan the embers of a fading challenge, but Douglas, with the second best defensive stats in the league, stood firm for the remainder and took the victory.
Douglas Squad – Simon Hoddinott, Jack Loughnane, Phil Cringle, Conor Garland, Ralph Clarke, Angus Wheeler, James Good, Blake Snell (cap), Kyle Martin, Luke Hyland, Wilf Kermode, Joe Corkish, Harry Hewson, Brendan Kelly, Sam McCord, Sean Garland, Wilf Hewson, Guy Barrons
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