Harlequins A bounce back in style with big win

The latest round of Manx Hockey Association fixtures produced plenty of goals and high-quality play across all mixed divisions on Saturday.

The day’s matches featured strong team displays, impressive defensive shifts and plenty of action in front of goal.

In the Premiership, Zeta Harlequins A bounced back after a tough loss the previous week against league leaders Bacchas to record a dominant 11-0 victory against Castletown Southerners.

In the first half, Southerners, sponsored by J. Qualtrough & Sons Ltd, struggled to get going and, as Harlequins A applied the pressure from the first whistle, they were rewarded with some early short corners and breaking the deadlock through a goal from Alfie Swales.

The goals continued as Swales added another and Caleb Blakemore tucked away a reverse hit for his first of the game.

Swales completed his hat-trick before half-time while Blakemore added another to his tally alongside Will Hassall who continued his clinical form from short corners to get another.

Quins entered the break six goals ahead after capitalising from some liquid hockey across the park.

After half-time Southerners came out with renewed purpose, searching for a goal, and were unlucky not to get one.

At the other end Stephen Mulhern and the Town keeper Bailey Campion kept Quins at bay until Caleb Blakemore put away his third of the game.

Goals continued to flow for Quins as Ela Blakemore finished a chance from a tight angle, before Ronan Santanatoglia grabbed his first of the season, Swales added his fourth of the game and May-Saa Smith scored her first goal in a Quins shirt.

Players of the match - May-Saa Smith (Harlequins A) and Stephen Mulhern (Castletown Southerners).

A dominant first-half display powered Division One leaders Vikings B to a convincing victory over Haldane Fisher Valkyrs C in their first encounter of the season in glorious conditions at QEII.

Vikings B, sponsored by Canaccord Wealth and Appleby, seized control from the opening whistle, ruthlessly exploiting a sluggish start from Valkyrs.

Pressing high and demonstrating superb patience in possession, the clinical Vikings outfit carved out numerous goal-scoring opportunities.

Were it not for a superb performance from Valkyrs goalkeeper Robyn Stones, who pulled off a string of spectacular saves, the half-time deficit would have been greater than 4-0.

After a shakeup at the interval, a rejuvenated Valkyrs side returned to the pitch with renewed hunger and tactical grit. By stepping up their intensity and pressing the Vikings midfield, Valkyrs successfully disrupted their opponents' rhythm and limited their ability to dictate play.

The well-contested second half saw both sides trade a goal apiece in an even, end-to-end battle.

Despite the early damage, Valkyrs will take massive positives from the match, particularly the stellar progress of their youth contingent of Bonnie Ellison, Liam Harrison, Harri Lewis, Rhea Maher, Molly Thomas and Caleb Quayle.

They all turned in highly impactful performances, proving they are ready to make significant contributions all over the pitch this season.

PoTM - Jess Birch (Vikings B) and Chris Caldwell (Valkyrs C).

In Division Three, Atla RDA Ramsey Robins met Ramsey Crookall Bacchas D.

The match started with the Bacchas D team being one short for a few minutes as players were delayed but were soon unto full strength with a couple of substitutes, whereas Ramsey Robins had just enough players to field a full side.

Play was furious early on with Bacchas taking the advantage and pressuring the Ramsey Robins’ D for long periods.

The first goal was scored by Bacchas’ Abbey Haswell from some nice open play passing and a good shot from mid D position.

Bacchas D’s second goal came not long after when, despite close man marking from the Ramsey midfield and defence, Christian Davies scored another from open play to make it 2-0 to his side at half-time.

The second Half started positively for Ramsey with some wider play, allowing more pressure toward the Baccas D goal. This resulted in a penalty corner goal from Henry Dormer with a straight strike to pull one back for Robins.

Ramsey had more chances late in the second half with great play and link up, with Dan Cross and Hannah Wylde showing what they can do up front.

This led to a further PC deflection in front of goal from Wylde to make the final score 2-2.

Overall, a satisfying match to play in and great fun. The umpiring was first rate and allowed the game to flow nicely, so many thanks go to the umpiring team.

PoTM - Oscar Parkinson(Ramsey Robins) and Nika Vogel (Bacchas D).

There was a cracking game of hockey under the sun on the northern plains, with Atla RDA Ramsey under-15s coming out 7–4 winners against Castletown Sharks.

It was end-to-end action from the opening whistle. Jed Dixon-Howells led the way for Ramsey with an impressive five-goal haul, while Tobyn Speight and Cam Eyres also found the back of the net.

The J. Qualtrough & Sons Ltd-sponsored Castletown Sharks side played some great hockey and kept Ramsey on their toes throughout.

Evanna Fargher scored her first two goals of the season, with Aedan Garlick and Millie Macalaney adding two more for Sharks.

Castletown keeper Isabelle Stevens also deserves a special mention for a standout game, pulling off great saves and routinely clearing the danger in her D.

Overall, a really enjoyable, competitive match with great hockey on display from both teams.

PotM - Tobyn Speight (Ramsey) and Evanna Fargher (Castletown Sharks).

RACHEL ANDREW

Saturday, October 17:

Premiership

Valkyrs B 0-5 Bacchas A

Castletown Celts 2-2 Valkyrs A

Bacchas B 0-4 Vikings A

Harlequins A 11-0 Castletown Southerners

Division One

Vikings B 5-1 Valkyrs C

Harlequins B 5-1 Bacchas C

Ramsey 1s 4-0 Castletown Cammags

Division Two

Castletown Cosney 0-5 Vikings C

Vikings D 0-4 Bacchas Colts

Valkyrs D 3-2 Castletown Cushags

Division Three

Vikings E 2-5 Castletown Carrick

Ramsey Rookies 5-2 Harlequins D

Harlequins C 3-0 Valkyrs Colts

Ramsey Robins 2-2 Bacchas D

Under-15 Mixed League

Vikings 0-9 Bacchas

Castletown Sabres 4-4 Valkyrs

Ramsey 7-4 Castletown Sharks