Hockey: Four trophies to be decided as 'finals day' beckons

Four rearranged league games also penned in for Saturday

MHA Ladies Plate Final

11.00 J.Qualtrough & Co. Castletown vs Athena Healthcare Harlequins @ NSC

MHA Ladies Cup Final

12.30 Motorworx Valkyrs B vs Canaccord Genuity Vikings A @ NSC

MHA Men's Cup Final

14.00 Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas A vs Canaccord Genuity Vikings A @ NSC

MHA Men's Plate Final

15.30 Canaccord Genuity Vikings C vs J.Qualtrough & Co. Castletown A @ NSC

Rossborough Women's Premier League

14.00 J.Qualtrough & Co. Castletown A vs Exceed Business Services Ramsey A @ CRHS

Rossborough Men's Division Two

11.00 Exceed Business Services Ramsey B vs J.Qualtrough & Co. Castletown Colts @ QEII

15.30 Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas Colts vs Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas C @ QEII

Rossborough Women's Division Two

12.30 J.Qualtrough & Co. Castletown C vs Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas C @ CRHS

Report by Sam Spooner:

With the knockout competitions taking centre stage this weekend players, coaches, umpires and spectators are eagerly awaiting a day of finals all being held at the NSC. Excitement begins to reach fever pitch for the Manx Hockey’s Finals Day on Saturday. A day in Manx Hockey’s calendar that is normally well supported with spectators from all clubs usually present. With 5 out of 6 clubs on the Island being represented across the four finals spectators will certainly be in for a treat.

First up sees the MHA Ladies Plate Final between the two main protagonists of Rossborough Women’s Division One in the form of Harlequins and Castletown B taking to the pitch. Harlequins currently lead the way in the league but are closely followed by Castletown B who remain the only side to have taken points from the league leaders. Harlequin’s main strength is their goal scoring and attacking threat having scored 44 goals in 9 games so far this season. However the southerner’s strength lies in their defensive record. Although they have only by comparison scored 19 goals this season they have only conceded 5 goals 3 of which have been scored by Harlequins. There is no clear favourite in this final and it is certainly very difficult to predict which way this could go.

Next sees the heroic Valkyrs B take on Vikings A in the MHA Ladies Cup Final. Valkyrs have not got the points their performances at times have quite deserved in the Ladies top flight this season but they have found their way into the final thanks to their victory over Castletown A to ensure they take on a David vs Goliath battle with the all-conquering Vikings A. Clearly Vikings A are overwhelming favourites to take home the trophy but that will not deter the westerners who have fought tooth and nail for everything they have this season and they will make sure to give everything they have and enjoy their day. Although a shock is unlikely if one team can defy the odds it is Valkyrs B.

Another Final that is too close to call sees the auld enemies Bacchas A take on Vikings A. Bacchas A over the years have had the upper hand with Vikings unable to take victory in matches between the two sides since the 2010 Men’s Cup Final until this season with 12 years between victories Vikings will be desperate to earn their next victory soon. Bacchas A and Vikings A have beaten each other once this season but Bacchas know how to win these trophies and will be the slight favourites going into the final however now that Vikings have taken that first win in 12 years against the all-conquering Bacchas A they have managed to overcome that mental block and know exactly what they must do to win. Can Steven Ronan’s Vikings go home with the trophy or will Bacchas ensure their name remains on the silverware for another year. No one knows and it is impossible to predict but this is going to be one of the games of the day.

Last but certainly not least sees the MHA Men’s Plate Final between Rossborough Men’s Division One relegation candidates Vikings C and title challengers Castletown A. You would be forgiven for thinking that this is a forgone conclusion but as Vikings C proved last year after losing twice in the league 4-0 nil to Valkyrs B they managed to take Valkyrs B to a penalty shoot out when the two side met in last years final of this competition. Castletown have also lost an important match last weekend to see their titles hopes fade meaning they know this could be their only chance of silverware this season and will be giving everything to take the win. The Southerners are the overwhelming favourites but Vikings C are a typically plucky cup team that Castletown will need to show respect to.