There are four semi-finals taking place this weekend, with each team looking to take their place at Manx Hockey Association’s finals day on April 2.

First up sees Castletown B and Bacchas B go head-to-head to determine who will face Harlequins in the Women’s Plate final.

With Castletown B the only side to take points out of Harlequins this season so far, few are looking past the southerners for a win here. But their goalscoring form hasn’t been prolific and they have relied on their incredible defence to put them in a title chasing position and in the knockout competitions teams can raise their game, especially the likes of Bacchas so Castletown will need to ensure they get an early goal or two on the board to ensure victory here.

In the MHA Women’s Cup it falls to Ramsey A to try and knock the incredible and so far undefeated Vikings A side off their well-earned perch.

Based on form, Vikings should be able to walk to victory here but Ramsey have nothing to lose and will provide tougher opposition than many people may think.

The winner takes on Valkyrs B in the final with the westerners having their own fairytale story to make it to the final.

The MHA Men’s Cup match is an interclub derby between Vikings A and Vikings B who played last week, with the A team winning 13-0.

There is nothing to suggest that this game will be any different, with the A squad looking much stronger and, owing to the B side being unable to pick players from the C team as they are cup tied, it has been a struggle getting a side out this week for the second string. The winner here sets up a huge match against Bacchas A in the final.

Last but by no means least is the MHA Men’s Plate match between Castletown A and Harlequins A.

Although Castletown have been performing incredibly well to put themselves top of the table and in the driving seat in the head-to-head record against nearest rivals Bacchas B, Harlequins have improved as the season has gone on and will be confident of victory.

While the southerners head into the match as favourites, the young Harlequins side fear no-one and this is likely to be the best match of the day in the cup competitions.

The winners of this match will face off against knockout specialists Vikings C who have taken their place in the final for the second week running.

League action

With much of the attention on the Cup and Plate action, it is easy to forget the rearranged fixtures taking place this weekend in the various leagues.

In the women’s top flight Castletown A have a chance to earn their revenge against the side that knocked them out of the cup, Valkyrs B. But the westerners will be buoyed by their recent performances and will be hopeful of earning a point or two here to edge towards an unlikely survival story.

In Rossborough Men’s Division One, Bacchas B play their game in hand against Vikings C and, with Castletown A not playing this weekend, it is a great chance for Bacchas to go level at the top of the table and make sure the title fight remains close.

Vikings C are unlikely to provide much of a stern resistance, but people have said that before and almost lost out as a result.

Rossborough Men’s Division Two sees leaders Harlequins B take on Castletown Colts, while Ramsey B hope to overcome bottom-of-the-table Valkyrs C.

In Rossborough Women’s Division Two, title challengers Castletown C take on Ramsey B with the southerners hoping to take top spot in the table.

FIXTURES

Saturday, March 19:

Rossborough Women’s Premier League

12.30pm Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas B v Canaccord Genuity Vikings C @ RGS

Rossborough Men’s Division Two

12.30pm Exceed Business Services Ramsey B v Motorworx Valkyrs C @ QEII

2pm Athena Healthcare Harlequins B v J.Qualtrough Castletown Colts @ QEII

Rossborough Women’s Division Two

12.30pm J.Qualtrough & Co Castletown C v Exceed Business Services Ramsey B @ RGS

Rossborough Mixed U16 2

11am Motorworx Valkyrs v Swales Flooring Harlequins @ QEII

2pm J. Qualtrough & Co Castletown v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas @ CRHS

3.30pm Canaccord Genuity Vikings v Exceed Business Services Ramsey R&R @ RGS

MHA Ladies Cup

12.30pm Exceed Business Services Ramsey A v Canaccord Genuity Vikings A @ NSC

MHA Men’s Cup

2pm Canaccord Genuity Vikings A v Canaccord Genuity Vikings B @ NSC

MHA Ladies Plate

11am J.Qualtrough & Co Castletown B v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas B @ NSC

MHA Men’s Plate

3.30pm J.Qualtrough Castletown A v Athena Healthcare Harlequins A @ NSC