The traditional big two in Manx hockey play off in PwC Men’s Premier Division this week, as Valkyrs face Bacchas for the second time this season.

In reality, this is quite possibly the last chance any team has to compete with the All-Whites for the final and bring a halt to their long championship run, which extends from the beginning of the decade.

Valkyrs will be unhappy to find themselves in third place in the Premier League at the moment, four places behind Bacchas, but are the only team to have taken a point from them this season.

The blues are always capable of finding their best hockey against Bacchas and will relish the opportunity for a victory. Bacchas, while favourites, will doubtless enjoy the chance to prove their worth as title winners.

Elsewhere in Men’s Premier, the bottom two meet in what could be an equally intense match to settle the other end of the table. Vikings B scored their first goal of the season against their A team last week and will struggle to overcome a Bacchas B team with a little more strength.

Vikings did more than enough to beat Ramsey last time and will expect to do so again to retain their second place in the league.

Looking to the women’s side of the fixture list, Vikings and Bacchas will expect to come out stronger from one-sided matches against Castletown and Harlequins, but the fixture of the day is likely to be Ramsey against Valkyrs.

Valkyrs haven’t dropped a point yet except against Vikings, but Ramsey can always play tight defensively and hold teams to close scorelines and threaten victory.

Further down in Women’s Division One, this week sees the first games after the top half of the league splits from the bottom.

In the top half, Valkyrs B will expect a win against Saracens who are likely to be the weakest of the remaining teams.

A more important match for the title battle will be Bacchas Colts against Vikings B where a win for the latter would throw the league wide open.

Glesni Corney’s ability to find the net makes Castletown B favourites to win the bottom half, although the weekend’s fixture against Ramsey B will be close.

Elsewhere, Harlequins hunt their first points of the season against a Valkyrs C team that struggled for numbers last week.

Castletown will be one point from winning Men’s Division One if they win a tough fixture against an improving Harlequins team.

Saracens and Vikings C will expect to take the points home in away fixtures against Bacchas Colts and Valkyrs B.

Only Castletown can stop Ramsey in Men’s Division Two, although an unexpected loss to Harlequins’ second team would end their chances. Saracens B are consistent scorers which may give them the edge over Bacchas C.

Harlequins will hope to beat Douglas rivals in the Under-16s league to bring them back in contention with league leaders Saracens, while Vikings won their first game last week and will carry much confidence into their match against Valkyrs.