Hockey: Teams to battle for spot in Cup & Plate finals

Valkyrs A chance for redemption against Vikings A

Rossborough Women’s Cup – Semi-Finals

12:30 Canaccord Genuity Vikings A vs West Coast Fitness Valkyrs A @ NSC
14:00 Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas A vs West Coast Fitness Valkyrs B @ NSC

Rossborough Men’s Cup – Semi-Finals

11:00 Canaccord Genuity Vikings A vs Ramsey A @ NSC
15.30 Athena Healthcare Harlequins A or West Coast Fitness Valkyrs A vs Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas A @ NSC

Rossborough Women’s Plate – Semi-Finals

14:00 Canaccord Genuity Vikings B vs Ramsey B @ QEII
15.30 Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas B vs West Coast Fitness Valkyrs C @ QEII

Rossborough Men’s Plate – Semi-Finals

12:30 Saracens B vs Canaccord Genuity Vikings C @ CRHS
12.30 West Coast Fitness Valkyrs B vs Ramsey Crookall Cronkbourne Bacchas Colts @ QEII

Semi Finals Weekend  

With sides now vying for a place in the Cup and Plate Finals next weekend there are some big games taking place with arguably the sides many would expect to see in the final going head to head.

In the Rossborough Women’s Cup the two ladies top flight title protagonists go head to head in the form of Vikings A and Valkyrs A. The season was a long one and although Valkyrs A lost out by 4 goals to nil last time the two sides met they are much closer that that score line suggests and this will be a tight and edgy affair. In the other semi final Bacchas A are favourites to reach the final when they take the impressive Valkyrs B. Despite their B team tag they are very much a Premier League side capable of causing an upset but despite this Bacchas A are the favourites.

Bacchas A are the outright favourites for the Men’s Cup and they take on the winner of Valkyrs A vs Harlequins A. In all likelihood baring a miracle it is very likely that Bacchas Semi Final opposition will be Valkyrs A. Although Valkyrs A have impressed in stages again this season and shown further development Bacchas A should prove too strong. Even if Harlequins A some how make it past Valkyrs A Bacchas A will certainly prove too strong for the Quins. The other Semi Final sees Vikings A take Ramsey A with the Northerners keen to impress after a disappointing league campaign finishing in the bottom half of the league and will provide stern opposition for the All Blacks.

Vikings B and Bacchas B the two favourites for the Rossborough Women’s Plate have been kept apart in the semi finals with Vikings having the far easier of the fixtures against Ramsey B. Bacchas B by contrast take on Valkyrs C who have proven they are capable of beating the top two sides and will be looking for another determined performance against one of the key title protagonists.

Valkyrs A are now the outright favourites in the Rossborough Men’s Plate and should overcome an impressive Bacchas Colts side who on their day can provide a challenge for anyone. With the Westerners looking for a league and cup double few will bet against them making it to the final. The other Semi Final see an intriguing fixture between Saracens B and Vikings B. Both sides have at times struggled for personnel this season and Saracens A team not fielding a side in the cup and Vikings B team not taking part either both sides should be able to field fairly strong sides if they choose to. It is a difficult one to call with these sides not actually playing against each other this season yet and will be an interesting one for the spectators.

Reports by Sam Spooner.