With possibly the hardest lockdown so far now over, the hockey community is again looking forward to restarting action.

Although this weekend’s fixtures are reduced, it is no less important and represents a monumental effort by the Manx Hockey Association to get games restarted and also have a plan in place to complete the season.

With the Rossborough Men’s Premier League champions decided prior to lockdown, the only thing left to play for is the relegation battle, but it is going to take something truly magical for Harlequins A to stay up.

Should Saracens take even one point home when they face Ramsey on Saturday, it will condemn Harlequins to relegation.

Even if Saracens aren’t able to take home a point, Harlequins still need to win both their games left this season as well as overturn a huge 64-goal deficit in those two games.

Therefore, although still mathematically possible, survival will take something from Hogwarts to survive this year.

In Rossborough Women’s Division One, Vikings C - who have had their say in the title fight despite not being in the battle themselves - will be looking to overcome bottom side Ramsey B when they face each other on Saturday.

With players on both sides missing match practice, the northerners may fancy their chances against Vikings C.

Valkyrs B will be hoping that they can put one hand on the Men’s Division One trophy when they take on a determined Vikings C in what could be the match that sees them clinch the title and promotion into the Premier League.

But much depends on the result between Castletown A and Bacchas Colts - with the latter certainly capable of an upset and taking points away from the southerners, we could well be crowning Valkyrs B as champions on Saturday.

Should Castletown A win, they can keep their title challenge alive as they still have to play Valkyrs B but the southerners are very much dependent on other teams taking points away from Valkyrs B.

Based on pre-lockdown form though, this isn’t something that Vikings C seem quite capable of at this point in time.

Elsewhere there is a southern derby between Castletown B and Saracens B.

Last time out, Town B ran out narrow winners and another close game is in prospect here.

Finally, the two most experienced teams in Manx hockey go head to head with Ramsey B favourites to come away with both points on offer against Bacchas C.

In the Rossborough Mixed Under-16 League, Harlequins are currently in the driving seat but are followed closely by Castletown who are two points behind with a game in hand.

Harlequins take on Bacchas and, based on league position and pre-lockdown form, you have to expect the former to take both points on offer and, with Castletown not playing this week, this could mean Quins can take a four-point lead into the home stretch.

Elsewhere, there is an east versus west battle between Valkyrs and Vikings. With the latter having three games in hand on the league leaders and sitting six points behind, they will be keen to take both points on offer and stay in the title fight.

Finally, it’s north versus south with Ramsey taking on Saracens. With Ramsey Rogues and Rascals currently sitting bottom, they will be hoping the lockdown period has enabled them to narrow the gap a little between themselves and the sides above them.

SAM SPOONER