Southern Nomads kept up their title challenge in the Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield with a tight 17-14 win away at Douglas B.

Two Lee Illott penalties put Douglas 6-0 ahead early on but Nomads fought back and tries from Ross McCulloch and Kevin Quantrill saw them take the lead 12-6.

Illott potted a penalty for Douglas just before half time to leave the game finely balanced at 12-9.

Nomads extended their lead in the second half with a John Sleight try but, when Douglas pulled a try back through replacement prop Richard Forster, they were within a whisker of causing an upset.

Despite a frantic final five minutes, however, they were unable to breach the Nomads defence.

Elsewhere in the Shield, champions Ramsey A edged to 19-8 victory over their B team.

Tries from Andy Wilson, Will Keenan and Mike Dentith, plus two conversions from Shaun Wyllie, saw the reds home.

A Craig Long try and a James Wren penalty for the B team gave the game a bit of an edge.

In the final game of the day, Vagabonds B comfortably swept Emerging Nomads aside 72-0 at King Williams College.