Manx hockey set for thrilling finish

Three league titles will be decided in Manx hockey today (Sunday).

Leaders Bacchas start as favourites to win the Mixed Division One crown and will triumph should they defeat lowly Celts.

However, failure to win could pave the way for reigning champions Valkyrs A who inflicted a first defeat of the season on Bacchas yesterday (Saturday).

However, they have another tough encounter of their own when they face third placed Ramsey.

The Division Two title is also up for grabs but there’s a number of permutations.

It’s all in the hands of Saxons after they leapfrogged Saracens yesterday with a 4-3 success over the leaders.

But they take on a Valkyrs C side who still have a title chance of their own and would overtake Saxons with victory.

Should that match finish level and Saracens overcome a tough test against Bacchas C then they will be champions!

And the ‘Sunday Showdown’ will be completed in Division Three with the title decider between leaders Ramsey Roadrunners and Valkyrs D.

A draw would mean the championship for Ramsey.

The big game on Saturday in Division One saw Valkyrs A secure a fine 2-1 win over Bacchas to keep their hopes alive – Chris Thomas and Greg Millers the match-winners with Glen Bloxham-Mundy the Bacchas’ scorer.

Ramsey A confirmed a fine third place in the table by thrashing Celts 4-1, Paul Kelly hit four as Falcons defeated Phoenix A 6-2 and Valkyrs B’s brave bid to beat the drop ended as a 2-1 defeat to Bacchas B confirmed their relegation.

In Division Two, it was hard not to feel some sympathy for Steve Cottier who hit a hat-trick for Saracens A only to see his side lose 4-3 to Saxons who replace them at the top of the table.

Mark Docherty and Richard Gelder netted two each for the new leaders.

Valkyrs C’s chances aren’t over but suffered a blow as they lost 2-1 to Bacchas C.

Hockey results for Saturday, January 5

Richmond Travel Mixed Division One

Phoenix A 2-6 Falcons
Bacchas A 1-2 Valkyrs A
Valkyrs B 1-2 Bacchas B
Ramsey A 4-1 Celts

Richmond Travel Mixed Division Two

Cammags 3-0 Ramsey Ravens
Saxons 4-3 Saracens A
Bacchas C 2-1 Valkyrs C

Richmond Travel Mixed Division Three

Cushags 0-1 Ramsey Roadrunners
Valkyrs D 4-1 Bacchas D
Ramsey Rookies 3-3 Southerners

Richmond Travel Mixed Division Four

Vandals 2-1 Cosney
Phoenix B 1-3 Ramsey Robins
Kestrels 2-2 Bacchas E