Ramsey’s tentative grip on the Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield tightened with a 38-10 win over closest rivals Vagabonds B at a cold and windy Glencrutchery Road.

Ramsey took the lead in the seventh minute when Aneurin Pritchard’s angled run beat the Vagas midfield defence. Brother Tynan sneaked through a gap to touch down under the posts for Ramsey’s second try and when Shaun Wyllie added the conversion they were 12-0 in front. Stu McConnell and Dave Harding both added tries before half time with Wyllie converting both for a 26-0 lead at the break.

Vagas rallied in the second half and used the strong wind well to gain field position. Number Eight Jo Louw sneaked over from a five metre scrummage to reduce the deficit to 26-5 but for much of the remainder of the half, Ramsey’s defence held firm and on a rare sortie into Vagas territory the northerners managed to restore their lead when hooker Myles Ellis was bundled over from a catch and drive line out.

As the game ebbed away, Vagas restored some pride when Chris Hermman bagged a late try but it was the visitors who had the final say in the move of the match. Will Keenan broke out of his own 22 and cut infield. He offloaded to Aneurin Pritchard who drew the final defender and popped the ball to winger Craig Long and he powered home from forty metres out.

Elsewhere in the Shield, Southern Nomads beat Castletown 27-0 in the southern derby. Martin Jones picked up two tries for Nomads and there were also tries from Wig Bregazzi, Mark Howarth and Dave Parkes plus a conversion from Pete Richards.

In the final game to be played, Douglas B beat Western Vikings 37-10.