There are two inter-club derbies in local hockey this weekend as the 2018 mixed season begins to gather pace.

Harlequins B face Harlequins Colts in PwC Mixed Division Three and Vikings B will do battle with their own C team in the second division.

Harlequins B will be looking for their first points of the season and to put a further dent in any title hopes their Colts team has this early in the campaign. Expect Colts to come away with the victory but underestimate Quins B at your peril.

In the other derby it should, on paper, be a foregone conclusion with Vikings B facing Vikings C. The latter side has struggled to adapt to life in this division so far this year and are fast becoming relegation candidates.

The big game scheduled for this Saturday in the PwC Mixed Premier Division has been moved to next Tuesday to accommodate Andrew Whiting’s stag trip, which means the other teams have a chance to gain some traction this weekend.

Ramsey A face a determined Bacchas B team who are capbable of causing upsets which the northerners will need to be aware of.

Celts face a Valkyrs A side that narrowly won their opening fixture against Bacchas B and will face a big physical challenge against Celts on Saturday.

In Mixed Division Two, Harlequins A are desperate to get their first points on the board after a disappointing start to their campaign: they currently sit just outside the relegation zone only on goal difference.

Saracens Sabres face a challenging game against Valkyrs B who have some brilliant experience in their ranks and are a potential banana skin.

Moving on to Division Two and Ramsey Ravens are looking to keep their title charge going against Bacchas Colts who are rooted to the bottom of the league.

Ravens have taken the early lead in the title race and are the only undefeated team so far.

This week should see the points in the league a little more spread out, with four teams currently sitting on two points apiece.

Ramsey Rookies, who sit second on goal difference, face a fresh and pacey Saracens Colts side, while Valkyrs C play a Cammags side looking to recover from a 5-1 loss last week.

In Mixed Division Three, Vikings D have had two fairly convincing wins whereas Bacchas have had two incredibly close games so far.

Bacchas ooze class and experience with the likes of Dave Lewin leading from the centre of the field, but experience may not make up for the spirit, speed and youth of the Vikings Colts side they face this weekend. Expect this to be another close contest.

Vikings D take on a Saracens Sharks side who are still waiting to register their first points of the season.

The last game in Division Three sees Valkyrs D face off against Southerners. Valkyrs are an incredibly physical side and, with Mark Moyer and Mark Perryman seemingly in good goal-scoring form, Valkyrs should be victorious.

l The Isle of Man’s men’s and women’s hockey squads both impressed at the weekend’s Plum tournaments. Full report in next week’s Examiner.