Vikings C and Saracens Colts go head-to-head to decide who goes top of Manx Hockey Association’s Mixed Division Two on Saturday, writes Sam Spooner.

With both teams registering impressive wins last week, a close top-of-the-table clash is in prospect.

On paper Vikings appear to be the stronger and more experienced, but Saracens have the advantage of having a squad of youthful, quick and agile players capable of causing an upset.

Elsewhere, Bacchas Colts take on Valkyrs C while Harlequins Colts will look to earn their first win of the year against Cammags.

Mixed Division One sees Bacchas B take on Ramsey Ravens who showed they are more than capable last week despite losing and Bacchas B will need a full-strength squad to come away with the win.

Bacchas C take on early title favourites Saracens Sabres in what should be a routine victory for the southerners, but as we saw last year Bacchas C are very good defensively and will prove difficult to break down.

The other fixture in this league see Harlequins A aiming to keep pace with Sabres when they face off against Valkyrs B. Both teams will be looking to keep the heat on Sabres and this game will be massively important to both sides’ title ambitions.

Following big wins last Saturday, Vikings D, Castletown Southerners and Vikings Colts will all be looking to add to their points tally this weekend.

Vikings D go into their game against Harlequins Colts as favourites while Castletown Southerners and Vikings Colts go head-to-head in the battle to keep the early-season pressure on Vikings D.

Elsewhere, Valkyrs C will be looking to continue their winning ways against Harlequins B while Bacchas D trek north to take on Rookies.

The Mixed Premier League sees the return of a number of important players to the Bacchas A starting line-up following a club wedding last weekend which saw them field a weaker side.

Despite the loss of a huge number of vital players, Elliot Reid took over the captaincy in Jamie Brown’s absence and did a brilliant job to prevent Ramsey taking both points on offer. Bacchas A will be confident of a win against a plucky Castletown side that will be part of a relegation fight this year if they cannot turn around their fortunes early.

Valkyrs A take on Vikings A and are a dangerous side to the All Blacks’ title ambitions. Gregg Miller’s side registered a nice win against Castletown last week and are well capable of causing an upset here.

Vikings B will be hoping to earn some early-season points in their own mission to mix it with the best against a Ramsey side who were unconvincing against Bacchas A in the opening week but have proven in the past they are able to play well against any team.

FIXTURES

Saturday, September 21:

Rossborough Mixed Premier League

2pm West Coast Fitness Valkyrs A

v Cannacord Genuity Vikings A @ QEII

2pm Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas A

v Cherry Godfrey Castletown Celts @ NSC

11am Cannacord Genuity Vikings B

v Ramsey LJ A @ NSC

Rossborough Mixed Division One

12.30pm Harlequins A

v West Coast Fitness Valkyrs B @ QEII

2pm Ramsey LJ Ravens v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas B @ RGS

1pm Saracens Sabres v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas C @ KWC

Rossborough Mixed Division Two

3.30pm Cannacord Genuity Vikings C

v Saracens Colts @ CRHS

11am Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas Colts v West Coast Fitness Valkyrs C @ QEII

2pm Harlequins Colts v Cherry Godfrey Castletown Cammags @ CRHS

Rossborough Mixed Division Three

12.30pm Harlequins B

v Cannacord Genuity Vikings D @ NSC

11am Cherry Godfrey Castletown Southerners

v Cannacord Genuity Vikings Colts @ CRHS

3.30pm West Coast Fitness Valkyrs D

v Saracens Sharks @ QEII

12.30pm Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas D v Ramsey LJ Rookies @ RGS

Rossborough Mixed Under-16s

3.30pm Cannacord Genuity Vikings

v West Coast Fitness Valkyrs @ NSC

12.30pm Saracens v Harlequins @ CRHS

3.30pm Ramsey LJ Rogues & Rascals

v Cherry Godfrey Castletown @ RGS