After the half-term break and various cup and plate competitions last weekend, this Saturday sees league hockey return to pitches all over the island.

There are some mouth-watering affairs lined up, and none more so than in the PwC Men’s Premier League where the top two go head-to-head.

Having not lost in the league since 2013, Jamie Brown’s Ramsey Crookall Bacchas A have proved to be more than a tough nut to crack, as Saturday’s opponents Canaccord Genuity Vikings A have found twice already this season.

There are positives to take for Birch’s Vikings though, in both previous meetings the All Blacks have netted three times, and were leading into the second half last time the sides met.

Could ex-Bacchanalian and Vikings new recruit Tom Wilson end Bacchas’ winning streak?

Elsewhere in the division, there are intriguing games for Partitionware Castletown A and LJ Ramsey A against Bacchas B and Crowe Morgan Valkyrs A respectively.

They will both start as underdogs, but in the corresponding fixtures Valkyrs only defeated the northerners by one goal and Castletown hit five against Bacchas in a convincing win.

Over in the PwC Women’s Premier League and it’s another case of first against second as Kim Carney’s Vikings take on Imogen Manning’s Valkyrs.

No Manx team has managed to overturn the All Blacks in recent memory, in fact the last time Valkyrs managed to do so was back in April 2007.

Should Manning’s determined squad end the undefeated streak, they would move level on points with the champions.

Emma Leeming’s Bacchas have found some form of late, and will be looking to extend their winning run to four games against Dani Kelly’s Castletown A in the other fixture.

The race for promotion in PwC Men’s Division One is heating up, with two points separating the top three.

Leading the way is Harlequins A, who will be more than tested against third-placed Vikings B team, who are unbeaten since their narrow 5-4 defeat to Quins on the opening day.

Should the All Blacks gain revenge, it could open the door for Bacchas Colts to climb to the summit if they can find their way past James Aitchison’s Ramsey B, themselves having won three out of the last four.

George Powell’s Saracens and Nick Watt’s Valkyrs B complete the league, as both will be trying to put some disappointing form behind them.

In PwC Women’s Division One, it looks as though Bacchas B will continue their white-hot league form as they start as firm favourites against Valkyrs C.

Three points off Bacchas lead, Jenny Lantry’s Ramsey B cannot let the Whites get too far ahead as they play Valkyrs B.

Ian Perry’s Vikings Colts have simply dominated the PwC Men’s Division Two, and will move six points clear and have one hand on the title with victory over second-placed Castletown B.

Connor Banks’s Harlequins B have been on the wrong end of some narrow defeats this season so will hope their luck turns against Bacchas C.

Finally, to PwC Women’s Division Two where Gail Logan’s Saracens are seemingly marching towards glory, sitting five points clear.

Top scorer Logan has led by example with seven goals and should claim both points against Quins B. Castletown B round off the weekend’s hockey against Bacchas C in a game that could go either way.

Full roundup in Tuesday’s

Isle of Man Examiner