After a long summer break, the new Manx Hockey Association season begins in earnest this weekend.

Rossborough Insurance are the new sponsors of the leagues and all the squads have been busy preparing over the past few weeks for what looks like it could be a fantastic season.

To open the weekend’s action, last year’s Premier League champions Vikings A go up against the newly-promoted Vikings B in a derby that has the potential to spring a surprise.

Vikings A won the title narrowly on goal difference on their way to cup and league double whereas the B side went the entire season unbeaten in their own league and plate double.

Bacchas A start their campaign against a strong Ramsey A team and, although the former would normally be expected to win, there are rumours that there may be a number of players unavailable this weekend.

The other game in the Premier League sees the two most physical sides go head-to-head and, after close games last year, Castletown Celts will be hopeful they can take something away from Valkyrs A.

In Mixed Division One there is another derby between Bacchas B versus Bacchas C and again on paper the B team would be favourites but if the rumours are true then players may be called up through the teams which would potentially turn the game on its head before it has even pushed back.

Elsewhere in the division, one of the early title favourites Saracens Sabres travel to Peel to face one of their key challenger, Valkyrs B, in what will be a mouth-watering clash - although this won’t decide the title this early, it should provide an indication of who will be favourites.

Harlequins are one of four teams who could challenge for the title and they face Ramsey Ravens who will have their own design on a title push.

In Mixed Division Two, Castletown Cammags take on Bacchas C in what could be a close game between two potential title challengers and sides aiming for promotion.

A very tight contest is in prospect when the two colts teams of Saracens and Harlequins go up against each other. Both of these may well be title challengers and it will be interesting to see how the young teams perform against each other on the opening day.

Elsewhere, Valkyrs C take on recently-relegated Vikings C and in theory the latter will be favourites, but that tag can weigh heavy and you cannot write off Valkyrs C.

Mixed Division Three sees James Ormond’s Castletown Southerners team begin their title challenge against Harlequins B who were well capable of springing surprises last year.

Bacchas D take on one of the title favourites Vikings D, while Ramsey Rookies are at home against Valkyrs D and Saracens Sharks begin their campaign versus Vikings Colts.

FIXTURES

Saturday, September 14:

Rossborough Mixed Premier League

11am Cannacord Genuity Vikings A v Cannacord Genuity Vikings B @NSC

2pm Cherry Godfrey Castletown Celts v West Coast Fitness Valkyrs A @ CRHS

2pm Ramsey LJ A v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas A @ RGS

Rossborough Mixed Division One

12.30pm Ramsey LJ Ravens v Harlequins @RGS

2pm Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas C v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas B @ NSC

2pm West Coast Fitness Valkyrs B v Saracens Sabres @QEII

Rossborough Mixed Division Two

11am West Coast Fitness Valkyrs C v Cannacord Genuity Vikings C @QEII

12.30pm Saracens Colts v Harlequins Colts @ CRHS

1pm Cherry Godfrey Castletown Cammags

v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas C @ KWC

Rossborough Mixed Division Three

12.30pm Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas D v Cannacord Genuity Vikings D @ NSC

12.30pm Saracens Sharks v Cannacord Genuity Vikings Colts @ QEII

3.30pm Cherry Godfrey Castletown Southerners v Harlequins B @ CRHS

3.30pm Ramsey LJ Rookies v West Coast Fitness Valkyrs D @ RGS