Ramsey travel to Hoylake for Cheshire Plate quarter-final

Ramsey travel to Hoylake on Saturday 14 November for their Cheshire Plate quarter-final, kicking off at 13:45 at Carham Road, according to Manx Radio Sport and Isle of Man Today.

Hoylake are fifth in Counties 3 ADM Lancashire/Cheshire, the division Vagabonds also play in. Manx Radio reported that they have won three of their seven league games, although one of those victories was a walk-over.

The two sides met twice last season. Ramsey won at Mooragh Park, but Hoylake took the return fixture 45-3, a game that doubled as the Cheshire Bowl final.

This season Ramsey stayed out of the league system because of the cost, so they have had fewer matches. Manx Radio said that could leave the squad fresher but short of full match fitness.

Dan Kelly and Josh Kelly are back after a family holiday. Both turned out for Vikings last Saturday, when Josh, a prop, scored his first senior try. Manx Radio said much depends on whether Ramsey can take a full-strength squad across, and that with their key players available they have a chance of winning.

The only game on the island is in the Hartford Homes Manx Shield, where Southern Nomads host Douglas Celts at Ballakilley Park, kick-off 14:15. It is the second week running that Nomads have hosted the island’s only fixture.

Nomads scored 14 tries against Western Vikings last Saturday. Ramsey lead the Shield, but Celts beat them in the opening week and, according to Manx Radio, would go top if they win both of their two games in hand.