With Covid-19 forcing the local hockey season to take a break until this weekend, it presents an opportunity to review the various senior leagues.

In this edition, Sam Spooner takes a look at the Rossborough Women’s Division One:

This division is unique in the senior leagues, with no split occurring after the first round of games so all teams play each other twice.

Vikings B currently lead the way ahead of Bacchas B by two points, with Valkyrs C still in the title race another point astern.

With both Bacchas B and Valkyrs C having a game in hand on the current leaders and all three teams fighting for the championship - having lost two games as well as all three teams taking points off one another - it could be an exciting finish to the season.

Vikings B had an indifferent start to the campaign, losing to both of their title rivals.

But since the last defeat to Valkyrs C, they are now unbeaten in five games - a run that includes a win against Bacchas B - with Valkyrs C left to play on the final day of the season.

Bacchas C will be left rueing their defeat to Vikings B as it now means in head-to-head terms the latter is winning 4-3 - which could be the deciding factor come the end of the season.

Although they have one game in hand and can go level on points, they also need to rely on Vikings dropping at least one point.

The longest winning streak Bacchas B have been able to maintain is three games and this could be the difference at the top of the league.

Valkyrs C have been quietly going about their business, silently hunting down the top two sides, and have defeated Bacchas B but were unable to quite overcome Vikings B.

But Vikings B have an ally in this league in the form of their own C team, who did their B side a huge favour by taking one point from Valkyrs C and therefore slightly denting their title hopes.

Valkyrs will be hoping that Vikings drop a couple of points before their meeting with the current league leaders on the final day of the season.

Castletown B have earned some impressive results and, up until a couple of games ago, were considered title challengers in their own right.

A mean defensive unit coupled with the experience and determination they pose has caused teams problems all season and they could have a huge say in the destination of the title even though they are unable to win it themselves.

Vikings C started the season in fine form, topping the table for the opening week. But since then their most notable result came against Valkyrs C when they managed to take home a point after being 2-1 up with only a few minutes left against a side considered to be serious title challengers.

At the bottom of the table, Bacchas C currently sit on four points while Ramsey B only have one.

Bacchas C have defeated the northerners twice this season for their two wins but have had notable performances against the likes of Castletown B - both previous games ending with a narrow 0-1 defeat.

Ramsey, by contrast, haven’t won a game yet this season but earned a brilliant nil-nil draw against one of the best defensive units in the league .

With the short lockdown now over and the Manx public yet again proving their community spirit, hockey can return with a full programme of matches this Saturday.

A full preview will appear in this Thursday’s edition of the Manx Independent.

SAM SPOONER