Manx hockey season begins this weekend

Champions Vikings A start defence of title against Vikings B

The Manx hockey season gets underway this weekend with the opening round of fixtures in the Rossborough Mixed Hockey Premier League.

Last season's champions Vikings A begin the defence of their title against Vikings B.

Between them, the two sides took all the silverware in the mixed competitions last year, with Vikings A adding the Manx Cup to their league title, and Vikings B clinching the Manx Plate along with promotion back to the top flight.

The other games see Castletown Celts take on Valkyrs A while Bacchas A travel to Ramsey A.

There are also fixtures in Division 1, 2 and 3, although Bacchas C v Bacchas B in Division 1 has been postponed due to a player shortage.

In Division 2, three clubs Colts sides - teams made up of young players - will compete this season. Manx Radio's hockey correspondent Sam Spooner believes it will be a good contest between the youth players: