The PwC Mixed Premier League match between Vikings A v Bacchas A on Tuesday evening was billed by many as the game of the season in the top flight.

With the match being moved to midweek, it allowed the excitement and expectation to build up to unbelievable levels as a good crowd descended upon the NSC to watch their teams battle it out.

The opening 10 minutes didn’t disappoint with an edgy but fierce early salvo from Bacchas rewarding them with two short corners, although they were unable to convert.

From there, Vikings began to exert a small amount of control and, after Bacchas forced a good save from Vikings goalkeeper Harry Woods, Vikings broke forward in numbers.

A crash ball into the D resulted in Tim Henderson getting the slightest of touches on the ball to deflect it away from the goalkeeper into the back of the net to put his side 1-0 up.

This began a period of dominance for Vikings and they were soon rewarded with two short corners and, although they didn’t score either of them, they continued to push and probe at the Bacchas defence.

It wasn’t long before they tore through the champions again, with Vikings debutant Rob Pritchard sliding a through ball to Kim Carney who was able to finish her chance to put Vikings into an early 2-0 lead.

At this point some of the Vikings fans were starting to get a little complacent, but most knew better, anticipating that Bacchas’ tenacity and determination could get them back into the game. Underestimate a wounded animal at your peril.

Once Vikings scored the second goal, Bacchas seemed to up their tempo and were led by captain fantastic Jamie Brown who yet again dragged his team forward to get a goal.

This almost immediately brought a reward, with Karl Moore turning the Vikings goalkeeper inside out with some great stick skills to halve the deficit.

This rejuvenated his side and the final 15 minutes of the first half was almost all one-way traffic. Once William Blake received a green card and a two-minute sin bin, Vikings were under even more pressure but did well to earn a short corner just as he returned to action.

It wasn’t converted though, and Bacchas were able to break out and immediately attacked to earn a short corner of their own. Although the set-piece was scrappy, Vikings were unable to clear their lines properly and Jaimie Brown nipped in to equalise.

Bacchas were really in the ascendancy and Vikings did well to hold on until half-time at 2-2.

Despite the setback, Vikings started the second half the better side and controlled possession in the opening five minutes well. This control was very quickly rewarded with a second goal from Vikings’ very own captain fantastic Carney to make it 3-2.

Again this seemed to bring the best out of Bacchas who began to build up some possession and once more it was skipper Brown who scored to drag his side back level.

Soon after this, a mistake from Vikings led to a great chance for Moore to put Bacchas into the lead for the first time, but he pulled it just wide.

Bacchas’ Paul Griffiths began making some rare runs forward from the heart of the defence and Vikings seized this opportunity by winning another short corner.

Knowing this was their chance to regain the lead, up stepped Tom Wilson to fire the ball directly into the back of the net past a flailing David Whiting to put Vikings back in charge.

Again Bacchas reacted and pushed forward led by the superb Brown as they searched for a potential equaliser, setting up a tense finale.

With Vikings fans clearly nervous, the umpires signalled for the final two minutes and Bacchas’ efforts were rewarded with a short corner.

The final whistle blew, but the short corner was still able to be taken, meaning Bacchas had a chance to salvage a point.

Up stepped Andy Whiting to drag his effort on target, forcing a fine save from Woods before a goal-line scramble ensued and the keeper was forced to make another save which resulted in another short corner.

This time though, Woods was able to save the set-piece and clear the ball wide, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Vikings fans.

They hadn’t beaten Bacchas Mixed A since October 15, 2011 and this win represents only their fourth victory win against them since September 2006.

Despite this result, Bacchas remain the team to beat and are still more than capable of winning the league.

Vikings must work with this victory and move forward with it because Bacchas will come back fighting and will punish complacency.

What was witnessed on Tuesday evening though was one of the best examples of hockey in the Isle of Man and now Bacchas, after years of domination, might just have a new challenger.

This season should be spectacular.