The Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield gets back into swing this weekend and the scheduled fixtures should have decided the outcome of the competition. However, there have been some amendments to the arranged fixtures which will prolong the wait for Ramsey, who still need a single point from their last two matches to be crowned champions.

This is reminiscent of fixture problems a couple of seasons ago when a number of sides seemed to pick and choose which matches they played and resulted in the Manx Rugby Football Union taking a close look at the structure of the domestic competitions to try and ensure that all matches were played as scheduled.

The issue this week is player availability. Despite fielding sides for all their other fixtures this season, Douglas B are unable to do so this weekend. The Douglas Club is of course vying for promotion in their Euromanx League and the first team has taken priority over the local set up as they entertain Ellesmere Port at Port-e-Chee.

The other late casualty in the Shield is the game between Southern Nomads and Northern Spaniards. This time the problem is with the Spaniards and a school trip. A number of the youngsters in the Spaniard line up are off Island as are two of their elder statesmen and these absences mean the game is unable to go ahead. Both of these matches will now take place next Saturday 10th March at the same venues with the same kick off times.

Report from Dave Christian