Douglas 22 – 29 Liverpool St Helens
Old Mutual Douglas have now stood toe to toe with the best in the league and not flinched. Top guns West Park escaped with a fortunate one-point, last gasp win from Port-e- Chee on 7th November, and on Saturday second-placed Liverpool St Helens came under the Manx microscope. The loss of Douglas skipper Glyn Hooson-Owen was a factor in the tight, but from kick-off Mark Magee was a big hitter in traffic. LSH started strongly, a try ahead after 15 minutes when LSH winger Jake Hodson crossed while LSH had command up front. Carl Markyl-Ferns replaced a yellow-carded Dutnall, and an LSH offside penalty by Dan Filson for 0-8 after 35 minutes was no less than deserved given LSH control. Guy Wood replaced Will Cain after 30 minutes and Douglas backs were threatening but inconsistent, and much against the run of play, Bryn Snellgrove converted a penalty for 3-8 at the break.
Karl Evans replaced Paul Leivers but two tries from LSH hooker Chris Foulton and number eight Sam Molyneux in 5 minutes after the restart chinned Douglas in to action at 3-22. Wood was probing forcefully from midfield, Riccardo Poloni causing mayhem on the wing, and Ben Dutnall, Evans and Lance Wyllie at the heart of the resurgence. Dion Spice prompted and spurred from scrum-half, his breaks hassling the LSH flankers and leading to Mark Magee plunging over for 10-22 with Snellgrove’s conversion after 60 minutes. Douglas momentum built again as Evans rampaged past LSH defenders, and from the next phase Robert Todd scored wide out for 15-22. Cain replaced Luke Hyland, and Spice nearly reached for a try he had no right to get near, within inches on the left, while Poloni twice terrified LSH defenders with footwork and pace wide on the right. One fumble, 50 yards and LSH were back in the ascendency, mauling through the middle to churn prop Mark Fryer over on 60 minutes for 15-29. With parity in the scrum, Douglas put Webb away down the left with 7 minutes on the clock. A sweeping move took Douglas to the line, but desperate and illegal LSH defence produced a penalty try and conversion by Snellgrove for 22-29 and a bonus point. The visitors were on the ropes and had to pick and drive possession for the last two minutes as they lurched to the final whistle.
Man of the Match – Dion Spice
