Saracens and Castletown go head-to-head in two southern derbies in Manx hockey this weekend.

On Saturday, Saracens Colts and Saracens Sharks make the short trip to Castle Rushen High School to take on Castletown Cammags in Division Two and Castletown Southerners in Division Three respectively.

Both games could prove close but Colts should have the edge over Cammags while Southerners should get the better of Sharks.

Elsewhere in Mixed Division Three of the Rossborough-sponsored leagues, Ramsey Rookies take on Harlequins B and, with the latter struggling with player availability so far, the northerners look favourites.

Valkyrs D will be aiming to return to winning ways against an experienced and well-drilled Bacchas D team as they try and keep pace with the early league leaders Vikings D.

The latter are taking on Vikings Colts and, after last year when Colts team beat the D team, this could be a much closer game than many think.Vikings D should prove too strong and extend their lead at the top of the table, but do not discount Mike Griffiths’ youthful and eager side.

In Mixed Division Two, with Saracens Colts taking on Castletown Cammags in the aforementioned clash with a view to staying top, Vikings C will be hoping to take advantage of any slip up when they face the impressive Bacchas Colts.

Although Vikings C will be favourites to win this game, Colts are a dangerous outfit and will be looking to claim a scalp.

Valkyrs C and Harlequins Colts go head-to-head in the relegation battle, with the latter desperately seeking their first points of the season in what is turning out to be a close league with only two points separating second and last places.

One of the games of the day taking place is Ramsey Ravens versus Bacchas C in Mixed Division One. Both teams are yet to record any points this season and are only separated at the bottom of the table by goal difference.

This result of this game will go a long way to deciding who will become the relegation favourites.

The two early-season title hopefuls are kept separate for another week and will both look to keep pace with the other as Saracens Sabres take on Harlequins A and Bacchas B face Valkyrs B.

In truth, Bacchas B have the much harder fixture but both teams can expect hard and physical games.

The Mixed Premier League sees another potential relegation battle unfolding when Vikings B travel to Castletown to take on Celts.

With Vikings B already having registered a well-earned point against Ramsey A last week, Town will be desperate to kick start their season and move themselves out of the drop zone.

Bacchas A travel to Peel to take on the mightily impressive Valkyrs A. Bacchas A are favourites but Valkyrs A are the one team apart from Vikings A that could spring a surprise against the whites.

Vikings A take the long trip north to take on Ramsey, with Vikings looking to improve on their wasteful performance against Valkyrs last week.

SAM SPOONER

Saturday, September 28:

Rossborough Mixed Premier League

2pm Ramsey LJ A v Canaccord Genuity Vikings A @ RGS

2pm West Coast Fitness Valkyrs A v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas A @ QEII

2pm Cherry Godfrey Castletown Celts v Canaccord Genuity Vikings B @ CRHS

Rossborough Mixed Division One

12.30pm West Coast Fitness Valkyrs B v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas B @ QEII

11am Saracens Sabres v Harlequins A @ NSC

12.30pm Ramsey LJ Ravens v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas C @ RGS

Rossborough Mixed Division Two

12.30pm Cherry Godfrey Castletown Cammags v Saracens Colts @ CRHS

2pm Canaccord Genuity Vikings C

v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne

Bacchas Colts @ NSC

11am West Coast Fitness Valkyrs C v Harlequins Colts @ QEII

Rossborough Mixed Division Three

12.30pm Canaccord Genuity Vikings Colts v Canaccord Genuity Vikings D @ NSC

11am Cherry Godfrey Castletown Southerners v Saracens Sharks @ CRHS

3.30pm Ramsey LJ Rookies

v Harlequins B @ RGS

1pm West Coast Fitness Valkyrs D v Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas D @ KWC

Rossborough Mixed Under-16 League

3.30pm West Coast Fitness Valkyrs

v Saracens @ QEII

3.30pm Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas v Ramsey LJ Rogues & Rascals @ CRHS

3.30pm Cherry Godfrey Castletown

v Cannacord Genuity Vikings @ CRHS