With the Isle of Man senior team playing off-island in the England Hockey Championships this weekend, the domestic action is centred on divisions one and two.

In addition there are four Women’s Plate games to determine the fixtures for the next round.

Vikings C received a bye into the next round, when their opponents could be either Bacchas B or Castletown C for a Division One versus Division Two clash.

Bacchas B have not had the best of seasons so will be looking to the Plate for their chance at silverware. And, given they will only face Division Two opposition en route to the final, few will be betting against them taking their place in the next round where they would face Valkyrs C or Ramsey B.

The latter two sides are fairly evenly matched, but Valkyrs C play in the league above the northerners so their higher level of experience may be telling.

The outright favourites for the competition are Harlequins who take on Bacchas C.

The 2pm push back will see Castletown B and Vikings B battle it out in what is likely to be the closest game of all to receive a bye in the next round. With matches between these two sides being close so far this season, it is all to play for.

The opening fixture in the Men’s Plate is another divisional mismatch with Division One strugglers Vikings C taking on Division Two title seekers Ramsey B.

Much depends on what players are available during the school half-term, but this should be quite evenly matched. Whoever is successful will face the winners of the Harlequins B and Bacchas B fixture (Division One and Two leaders respectively).

Bacchas B are the standout side and it is hard to see past them in this instance.

Valkyrs C, mid-table in Division Two, take on Division One side Castletown A with the southerners likely to advance and take the bye on offer in the next round.

Harlequins A will be the overwhelming favourites when they take on Bacchas C, the winner of which will then face Castletown B who received a bye in this round.

THIS SATURDAY’S FIXTURES

Manx Hockey Women’s Plate

11am Motorworx Valkyrs C v Exceed Business Services Ramsey B @ NSC

12.30 Athena Healthcare Harlequins v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas C @ NSC

2pm J.Qualtrough & Co Castletown B v Canaccord Genuity Vikings B @ NSC

3.30pm Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas B v

J. Qualtrough & Co Castletown C @ NSC

Manx Hockey Men’s Plate

11am Canaccord Genuity Vikings C V

Exceed Business Services Ramsey B @ QEII

12.30pm Athena Healthcare Harlequins B v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas B

@ QEII

2pmMotorworx Valkyrs C v J. Qualtrough Castletown A @ QEII

3.30pmAthena Healthcare Harlequins A v

Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas C @ QEII