Opening mixed season fixtures kicking things off this weekend (Fixtures: 7 Sept)
Report by Ben Cunningham:
After weeks of training and prep the 2024/25 Manx Hockey season kicks off this weekend, with the focus being on the mixed leagues up to Christmas.
In the Mixed Premier League, defending champions Valkyrs A kick off their title defense when they meet Valkyrs B who were promoted to the premiership after winning the division one title.
Bacchas A who will be looking to challenge for the title meet Vikings B who will be looking at having another good season in this league; another team that will be looking at getting their hands on the title is Vikings A, they welcome Harlequins A who made a good status for themselves last season in their first year in this league challenging some of the top teams.
Finally Bacchas B welcome Castletown Celts who will both be looking at getting good starts to their seasons.
In Mixed Division One, Ramsey A who will be looking to get back into the Premiership after being relegated welcome newly promoted Vikings D in a match that could be very close; Valkyrs C play Bacchas C in a battle of the 'C' teams, again this could be a evenly matched game.
Castletown Southerners will be wanting to get a good start to the season but standing in their way this weekend is Vikings C who will be wanting to get a good start to not end up in the battle at the bottom again this weekend.
In Mixed Division Two, Harlequins B - who got promoted last season - meet Ramsey Ravens who will give Harlequins a good taste of what is to come in this league.
Valkyrs D who had a good season last year and will be hoping they can carry it into this year play Bacchas Colts in a match that looks very close on paper; finally, there is a club derby between Castletown Cushags and Castletown Cammags.
In Mixed Division Three, Vikings E - who will be looking to get back into Division Two - start their campaign when they meet Ramsey Rookies who will be hoping for another solid season.
Elsewhere we have two club derbies - the first being Bacchas D playing newly-formed Bacchas Mixed Bucks, the other being yet another Castletown derby between Castletown Carrick and Castletown Cosney.
Harlequins C have a rest week and will kick off their season next weekend.
Finally in the mixed U15 league, Vikings play Ramsey; Valkyrs play Bacchas and Castletown Sabres play Castletown Sharks.
Mixed Premier League
12.35 - Bacchas A vs Vikings B @ NSC
14.05 - Vikings A vs Harlequins A @ NSC
14.05 - Valkyrs B vs Valkyrs A @ QEII
14.05 - Bacchas B vs Castletown Celts @ CRHS
Mixed Division One
12.35 - Valkyrs C vs Bacchas C @ QEII
12.35 - Vikings D vs Ramsey A @ RGS
15.35 - Castletown Southerners vs Vikings C @ CRHS
Mixed Division Two
11.05 - Valkyrs D vs Bacchas Colts @ QEII
12.35 - Castletown Cushags vs Castletown Cammags @ KWC
15.35 - Harlequins B vs Ramsey Ravens @ NSC
Mixed Division Three
11.05 - Bacchas Mixed Bucks vs Bacchas D @ NSC
12.35 - Castletown Carrick vs Castletown Cosney @ CRHS
14.05 - Vikings E vs Ramsey Rookies @ RGS
Mixed Under-15's League
11.05 - Castletown Sabres vs Castletown Sharks @ CRHS
15.35 - Valkyrs vs Bacchas @ QEII
15.35 - Vikings vs Ramsey @ RGS