There are two critical games taking place in the PwC Mixed Premier League hockey division this weekend.

The late game at the NSC sees Vikings’ first team meet their Valkyrs rivals in a game that is likely to very much define who takes prime position in chasing Bacchas A for the title this season.

Valkyrs have traditionally relied on a strong, but aging strike force to score enough goals to keep them in a title race, but have added a couple of home-grown strong midfield players and have increasingly strong women to add to their abilities.

However, Vikings A still contain half a team of women who, in their own right, haven’t lost a women’s game for years together with ever improving upfront capabilities. A close and tantalising game is in prospect.

Ramsey A vs Bacchas B is an equally interesting prospect, likely to shape the other end of the table. The northerners will be buoyed by a very strong performance against Vikings A last week while Bacchas B, having lost a club derby midweek, face their first match against outsiders and will have targeted this match as an opportunity to open their points tally.

In the league’s other fixture, Harlequins have faced a tough start to the season and will once again look to prove their threat to the league by scoring a few goals against current champions Bacchas A who are notoriously strong in defence.

In Division One, Celts and Vikings B are likely to be among the stronger players in the league. Celts will be disappointed should they fail to improve on last week’s draw, but are likely to face strong competition.

Valkyrs B will look to continue last week’s impressive start against Saracens while Bacchas C and Cammags is likely to be a close match.

After a single game, goal difference places Ramsey teams first and second in Division Two, a feat which the teams managed at the end of the season a few years ago.

Both teams will be aiming to build on wins in their last outings, while Bacchas’ youth team will be hopeful of opening their account for the season against Valkyrs D.

Division Three is likely to see a close game between Harlequins and Bacchas’ bottom strings, while both Harlequins and Saracens Colts will be keen to maintain their own winning runs.

In the PwC Under-16s division, Valkyrs and Vikings are both unbeaten and face each other in Peel, while in-form Harlequins go up against Saracens and the match between Bacchas and Ramsey is likely to prove very even.

PwC Mixed Premier League

2.05pmRamsey Crookall Bacchas B

v LJ Ramsey A @ Ramsey Grammar School

2.05pmAthena Healthcare Harlequins A v Ramsey Crookall Bacchas A @ NSC

3.35pmCanaccord Genuity Vikings A v Valkyrs A @ NSC

PwC Mixed Division One

11.05amCherry Godfrey Castletown Celts v Canaccord Genuity Vikings B @ CRHS

12.35pmSaracens Sabres v Valkyrs B @ QEII

2.05pmRamsey Crookall Bacchas C v Cherry Godfrey Castletown Cammags @ QEII

PwC Mixed Division Two

12.35pmLJ Ramsey Ravens v Canaccord Genuity Vikings C @ NSC

3.35pmRamsey Crookall Bacchas Colts v Valkyrs D @ RGS

3.35pmLJ Ramsey Rookies v Valkyrs C @ QEII

PwC Mixed Division Three

12.35pmCherry Godfrey Castletown Southerners v Saracens Colts @ CRHS

12.35pmAthena Healthcare Harlequins B v Ramsey Crookall Bacchas D @ RGS

2.05pmAthena Healthcare Harlequins Colts v Saracens Sharks @ CRHS

PwC Under-16s

11.05amRamsey Crookall Bacchas v LJ Ramsey Rogues & Rascals @ NSC

11.05amCanaccord Genuity Vikings v Valkyrs @ QEII

3.35pmSwales Flooring Harlequins v Saracens @ CRHS