Douglas 23 v 14 Liverpool Collegiate
National League round 24 Saturday 19th March
Pictures courtesy of Robin Hynes
On a day when bottom-of-the table Hoylake beat leaders West Park, Old Mutual Douglas might have had their own share of troubles in the shape of perennial rivals Liverpool Collegiate. The Port-e-Chee side were sporting several key positional changes, and since the league formation in 1986, the two Club’s have been in each other’s orbit with results correspondingly close.
Collegiate took advantage of a Douglas spill close to their own line after 10 minutes and countered ambitiously on a dry and firm pitch. Winger Duke McKennox had 60 yards to finish the job and did so in style with Douglas speedsters in his wake for 0-7 after Chris Lloyd converted. The home side then brought forward power to bear and established an advantage at scrummage and line-out that would dictate the next 40 minutes. Chris Beaumont powered over to reward Douglas mauling for Bryn Snellgrove to convert and level, and two Snellgrove penalties gave Douglas a 13-7 lead at half time.
17 year-old Douglas number 10 Will Archer took the opportunity to run the show with aplomb, similarly Luke Hyland at an unfamiliar full-back position adapted well. Five minutes after the break Craig Magee crowned another committed performance to burst the Collegiate defence and score, Snellgrove potting the extras for 20-7. Declan Horrox, Max Morley-Green and Nathan Knights burnished growing young reputations, but Douglas were a little off key in the finishing department and chances went astray. Karl Evan’s introduction off the bench for skipper Glyn Hooson-Owen quickened the pace, but Collegiate’s Tom Lofthouse took a rare scoring chance. With Lloyd’s conversion for 20-14 at 60 minutes, home touchline nerves were a little frayed as the previous Douglas scrum dominance spluttered and vanished. Snellgrove stepped up to steady the ship with a penalty at 70 minutes and accrue 13 points, a contribution that was enough to help the home side across the line, even if not firing on all try bonus point cylinders.
Thanks to Collegiate who brought 25 supporters with them, some travelling Friday, some on the boat Saturday while the team flew, and all returning on Sunday. They were good tourists and the Clubhouse was jam-packed. Singing, games and just simply good craaic was the order of the day.
Enjoying old style tourists
Thanks to sponsors Old Mutual International who again had a table reserved for lunch and their representatives. The attendance is always appreciated and the relationship grows stronger with every event.
