Ramsey Win Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield

Ramsey were finally crowned Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield Champions as they beat Douglas B 13-8 at a windy Mooragh Park. Douglas could however have easily spoiled the party with a battling performance and with a little more luck they could have won the game.

Ramsey’s set scrummage caused Douglas problems right from the off but despite losing much of their own ball; Douglas had the better of the first half. Neil Cartwright missed shots at goal after four and fifteen minutes and Gwyn Davies butchered a three man overlap on the left with the line a begging. Despite these missed opportunities Douglas finally took the lead after twenty minutes. Geoff Miles broke down the left wing and some hands in the ruck earned Cartwright another shot at goal which he nailed for a 3-0 lead.

Ramsey countered just before half time with a forward rumble up the centre which caught Douglas offside and leading scorer Shaun Wyllie slotted a difficult penalty into the strong wind, leaving the match was finely poised 3-3 at the break..

Wyllie kicked Ramsey in front with a penalty after six minutes of the second half as they took their turn at using the wind to gain territory. They continued applying the pressure against some resolute defending and finally broke the try line midway through the half. Shaun Wyllie linked well with Stu McConnell down the left wing and set up good field position. From the ruck, John Watling and Anuerin Pritchard probed the line before replacement back row Darren Ideson finally squirmed over from close range. Wyllie added the extras for a 13-3 lead with the promise of more.

Douglas were far from finished however and they clawed their way back into the match. Danny Creer, who had an exceptional game in the loose, stripped the ball from Ramsey ruck and set up a counter attack. Geoff Miles made ground on the flank and the ball was spun to midfield where skipper Mark McGee galloped home from fifteen yards out to make it 13-8. Ramsey did apply considerable pressure in the closing minutes but were unable to get through the dogged Douglas defence.

Following the match Ramsey skipper Matt Livesey who didn’t take part in the game after pulling a muscle while warming up, accepted the Shimmin Wilson Shield from MRFU rep Chris Till. He said he was proud of the effort shown by all of his players and praised the Douglas side for the way they got stuck in.

Pictures Courtesy of Garry Higgins. See plenty more by Clicking Here