There was disappointment for all three Manx rugby sides competing in the South Lancashire/Cheshire leagues on Saturday.

Vagabonds fought back from a disappointing opening half but eventually went down at home to Ashton on Mersey in Division One.

After trailing 16-5 at the break, Vagas hit back to lead 17-16 at one point with tries from Leigh Kennaugh (two) and Tom Gascoigne, along with a conversion from Johnny Beckley.

However, it wasn’t enough as the visitors regained the lead to emerge 23-17 winners.

Ramsey and Douglas went down at Marple and Moore respectively in Division Two.

The northerners were beaten 30-10 at Marple, while Douglas were defeated 38-10 at Moore, despite a Ragnar Toompere try, converted by Tom Chamberlain, and a Mike Hebden drop goal.

There was a thriller in the Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield as Castletown defeated leaders Vagabonds B 23-22.

Two tries in five minutes from Darryl Richards midway through the first half, both converted by Sam Peel, sparked the match into life.

Peel also hit three penalty kicks to seal the win.

Michael Oates slotted home five penalty kicks for Vagas and substitute Emut Maloney ran in a try, converted by Kieran Leaver but it wasn’t enough.

Ramsey B ran riot at the Mooragh Park by demolishing Emerging Nomads 78-5.

The star of the show was Alistair Trace who grabbed four tries.

Danny Bonwick hit a hat-trick of tries, Andy Cleator notched two and there was a try apiece for skipper Niall Hume and Mikey Craine.