Semi-finals take place in hockey's knockout competitions

Haldane Fisher Valkyrs A secured a 6-3 victory over Ramsey Crookall Bacchas B in the semi-finals of Manx hockey’s Mixed Cup on Saturday despite a hard-fought opening half. Valkyrs started brightly but initially struggled to take their chances as the sides traded early goals.

A brace from Sophie Hudson and a short-corner strike by Luis Novo-Smith for Valkyrs were countered by goals from Bacchas B’s George MacAleer and Karl Moore to make it 3-2 at half-time.

Despite a great performance from their stand-in goalkeeper Will Wiseman and a goal from Hope Gough, Bacchas B were unable to hold Valkyrs whose improved second-half performance saw them pull away to take the win 6-3 through close-range finishes from Ethan Adams, Imogen Corke and Maxine Jones after good build up play from the whole team.

In the other Cup semi, Ramsey Crookall Bacchas A met Vikings A, sponsored by Canaccord Wealth and Appleby, having played and beaten them earlier in the week in a rearranged league fixture. Despite Vikings A’s best efforts, Bacchas A secured the win once again 5-0.

Atla RDA Ramsey 1s delivered a commanding performance to secure a 4-0 victory over Valkyrs C and advance to the next round of the Mixed Plate.

Ramsey started strongly, taking an early lead after a right-wing attack was finished off by Jordan Parkinson.

The northerners continued to apply pressure and were rewarded with two short corners where Vic Garner and Alfie Melling both converted to give them a 3-0 lead going into half-time.

Valkyrs gathered themselves at the break, moving Rhea Maher into midfield and reset for a much-improved second half, playing a cohesive team game that stifled Ramsey’s attacks for long stretches and restricted them to just a single additional goal - Parkinson’s second of the match - to make the final score 4-0.

Zeta Group Harlequins B defeated Vikings B, sponsored by Canaccord Wealth and Appleby, 3-1 in the second Plate semi-final.

Haldane Fisher Valkyrs D defeated Castletown Cushags 5-2 in the Mixed Bowl thanks to a five-goal performance from Neill Jacobs.

Valkyrs opened strongly, building a 2-0 lead within the first 10 minutes. Castletown Cushags, sponsored by J Qualtrough and Sons Ltd., cut into the deficit through a Jeff Butler penalty corner and, after Valkyrs struck back, Charlie Valerga netted for Cushags just before the break to send the teams into half-time at 3-2.

A second-half formation tweak by Valkyrs stretched the pitch for both sides. Russell Miller missed a chance from eight yards out to put the match away, but Jacobs delivered his fourth and fifth goals to secure Valkyrs' place in the final.

The second Bowl semi-final was an inter-club match where Vikings C earned a 4-1 victory over Vikings D after pulling away in the second half.

In an evenly-balanced game of hockey where a lot of time was spent in the middle of the pitch, Vikings C took advantage of the extra legs and used simple hockey in the second half to get more of the goals.

Jack Woods found the net for the D team and James Baker, Oli Nanda, Georgie Higgins, and Ellie Harris all scored for Vikings C.

The finals of the Cup, Plate and Bowl competitions will take place on Saturday, December 5.

- The Isle of Man men’s over-35s team travelled to play Macclesfield on Sunday in the second round of the England Hockey Masters Championship.

The Manx side produced a great performance and came away with a 7-0 win.

A full match report will follow in a future edition.

RACHEL ANDREW