In one of the key games of the day in Rossborough Men’s Premier League, Bacchas B lost out to Vikings B in a close encounter at the NSC.

The 2-1 victory, courtesy of goals from Andrew Harding and Ashley Osbourne, moves Vikings B up to fourth place and crucially the top-half of the table.

Having already beaten Ramsey A this season, they are now favourites to finish in the top half, with the added incentive of providing key assistance to their first team’s efforts of claiming the championship by damaging other leading sides’ ambitions.

Ramsey A lost to Bacchas A, further denting their own hopes of a top-four finish in what has been an indifferent season for the northerners.

Harlequins A took another heavy defeat with good grace when Vikings A put 14 goals past them, the latter side putting their own loss of a week earlier behind them.

Valkyrs A’s improvement continued when they overcame Saracens B in a closer game than many had imagined, with Saracens managing to score twice.

Despite some great results, games like this were previously an Achilles heel for sides like Valkyrs. Whereas Vikings continue to slip up and lose concentration, Valkyrs seem to be getting the better of games such as this one, proving they might well be ready for a title challenge.

Valkyrs B continue to take charge in Rossborough Men’s Division One with a big victory over Saracens B.

With Saracens only fielding nine players the defeat was almost inevitable, but all the feedback Saracens received showed they did not give up and continued to challenge Valkyrs throughout and play with a smile on their faces.

Vikings C overcame a tricky fixture against Ramsey B, the northerners doing well in defence but also producing some good attacking opportunities.

That said, Vikings continued to push - managing to score their goals in two 10-minute periods where Ramsey appeared to momentarily lose their concentration.

Bacchas Colts managed to pull level on points when they overcame a plucky and defiant Castletown B side, with Pete Duchars rolling back the years to prove the hero once again.

Castletown A continued their recovery with a dominant victory over Harlequins B, Paul Kelly consolidating his lead at the top of the goal-scorers’ charts.

Rossborough Women’s Division One could have seen some strange results with both Bacchas B and Vikings B facing their title challengers’ respective C teams.

All the talk was whether or not the C teams could do their B teams a favour in the fight for the title.

But in the end, form and ability won the day with both Vikings B and Bacchas B earning easy victories to remain level at the top of the table in what is turning into an exciting fight for the championship.

Both sides sit on six points and level on goal difference, meaning that Vikings remain top of the table courtesy of their 15 goals scored so far this campaign compared to Bacchas’ 13.

Elsewhere, Castletown B defeated Valkyrs C to move above them in the race to challenge for title honours, sitting level on points with the top two but with a vastly inferior goal difference.