Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield holders Southern Nomads regained some of last season’s form as they edged out a resilient Western Vikings team 20-8 at King Williams College.

A James Hammal solo try in the 20th minute was all that separated the sides at half time.

Vikings reduced the deficit early in the second half with a George Gadsby penalty but should have done much better with Nomads reduced to 13 men at one stage.

It wasn’t to be Vikings’ day though and, as the game ebbed to its conclusion, they lost a man to the sin bin and Nomads took full advantage.

Jimmy Cubbon first set up back row partner Neal Kelly for a try and then, in the final play of the match, Cubbon crossed the whitewash himself.

He also converted both tries to round off his afternoon.

At Mooragh Park, a plucky Northern Spaniard side held Vagas B to just 7-0 at half time before Vagas closed the game out 27-0 in the second half.

Jo Louw picked up two tries for Vagas and there were also touchdowns for Ross Pullman, Danny Williams and Dave Quayle.

Vagas C didn’t fare as well as their more illustrious club mates.

They crashed to a 56-0 home defeat by league leaders Ramsey.

In the final game of the afternoon, Douglas B continued their march up the charts with a 44-10 win over Castletown.

Lloyd Jones continued his scoring run with two tries for Douglas and there were also tries for Ted Games, Pac Bregazzi, Dave Solly, Ady Shimmin, Adam Gaggs and Steve Kelly, who incidentally scored his first try with his first touch in his first game!

For Castletown there was a consolation try from Jonathan Piggin and a penalty and conversion from Dan O’Connor.