Vikings and Valkyrs go head to head for a place in the Manx Hockey Association’s Men’s Cup final on Saturday afternoon.

The pair only met in the PwC’s Men’s Premier League at the weekend, Vikings slipping to a surprise loss at the hands of the westerners.

Vikings seemed to suffer a hangover from their recent huge league loss to Bacchas. The All Blacks didn’t play their best against a physical and very well-drilled Valkyrs side who showed the determination required to win games at this level.

Valkyrs now know they can beat Vikings and will go into this game with a huge amount of confidence. Vikings, on the other hand, will have done some soul searching and will be desperate not to repeat the abject display last time out.

This game could go either way, but one thing is for sure is that there will be fireworks in what will be massive game at the NSC for both sides.

Barring a massive dip in form from Bacchas, both Vikings A and Valkyrs A are out of the title picture now and all their focus will be towards this cup competition.

Passion and desire will be the deciding factor in this match and both sides will need it in spades to come away with the win.

In the MHA Men’s Plate, PwC Men’s Division Two title chasers Castletown B take on Harlequins A.

Town have shown some very good form this year but there is still should be a gulf in class between the two sides this weekend.

Quins on the other hand will be determined to do well in this competition.

Harlequins received the news this week that the men’s A team has had two results reversed and therefore have lost four points for fielding ineligible players in two games.

This has put them out of the title race in PWC Men’s Division One, but could spur Harlequins on to produce a determined performance which could spell trouble for the southerners.

If Castletown B are to win this tie they will need to be at their best defensively and rely on the likes of Graeme Brown to steal a goal in attack.

Home advantage could be telling with Castletown always able to show great support to their teams especially when they have more than one team playing at the same venue back-to-back.

In another cross divisional battle Castletown B take on Valkyrs B in the Women’s Plate.

Town have been impressive in PwC Women’s Division Two so far this season and are currently sitting top of the league.

Nevertheless, Valkyrs are in a title fight of their own challenging at the top of PwC Women’s Division One.

On paper this game looks to be a one-sided affair.

Valkyrs have shown some good strength in depth this year and Castletown B don’t quite have the resources available to them that Valkyrs B do.

Castletown B will not go into the game as favourites, but will have the passion and determination to potentially restrict Valkyrs B and try and sneak what would be an impressive result.

Saturday’s fixtures:

MHA Men’s Cup

2pmCannacord Genuity Vikings A v West Coast Fitness Valkyrs A @ NSC

MHA Men’s Plate

2pm Cherry Godfrey Castletown B v Athena Healthcare Harlequins A @ CRHS

MHA Women’s Plate

12.30pm Cherry Godfrey Castletown B v West Coast Fitness Valkyrs B @ CRHS