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Page last updated at 09:27 GMT, Monday, 27 April 2009 10:27 UK

Douglas claim Manx Cup thriller

Rugby Union

Douglas rounded off their impressive season with a thrilling 34-21 extra-time Manx Cup win over Vagabonds at Port-e-Chee on Saturday.

The sides were tied 21-21 after 80 minutes and it took the inspired Bryn Snellgrove to break the deadlock.

In total Snellgrove bagged 21 points including a pivotal touchline conversion to level the scores in the 80th minute.

The match was close throughout with the sides tied 11-11 at half-time.

Snellgrove and Vagabonds' Michael Oates exchanged penalties early on before the game really came to life after 10 minutes when Peter Bradley's pass found Mike Hebden in space on the left wing and he raced home to put Douglas ahead 8-3.

Snellgrove added a penalty after 17 minutes to make it 11-3, but Vagas hauled themselves back into the game with a Michael Oates penalty and an Ekong Bell try just before half time to level the scores.

Early in the second half, Vagas got their noses in front when Andy Pease raced home for a 16-11 lead.

Snellgrove countered for Douglas with a penalty from the restart to pull the score back to 16-14.

With the game finely poised, Vagabonds took charge again.

Simon Heggs drifted through some slack tackling for a try which gave Vagas a 21-14 lead.

They held onto this until the last minute when Snellgrove manufactured a try for Sam Randall and then kicked the touchline conversion to send the game into extra time.

With Vagabonds looking tired, Douglas were quick to gain the upper hand in the first period of extra time.

Snellgrove kicked a penalty to make it 24-21 and shortly afterwards he gathered a bouncing ball at full speed on the left wing and touched down for the decisive try.

He nailed his second touchline conversion to give Douglas a 31-21 lead. Vagas tried to hit back but had nothing left and when Mike Hebden struck a late drop goal to make it 34-21, the game was already won.



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