Stage set for Manx Cup final

Vikings favourites in both Cup and Plate showdowns

The stage is set for the Manx Cup final this weekend when Vikings A and Ramsey A battle it out in Saturday's showpiece.

Vikings begin the match as favourites having ended a 29-year wait for a top flight mixed hockey title in the domestic campaign.

They also saw off holder Bacchas A in the last-four of this competition, as goals from Kim Carney and Nathan Evans booked their place in the final with a 2-1 win.

The northern side will know all about the significant threat of the Vikings attack, as well as their mean defence, having already played them twice this term.

Despite losing both times, goals from key man Thomas Tsitsos and youngster Alex Kneale pushed Vikings all the way when the two met in a 3-2 epic in late September.

If Ramsey perform in the same manner on Saturday whilst keeping the Vikings forwards at bay, an upset may very well be on the cards.

Vikings B are in a similar position in the Manx Plate as they aim to secure a league and Plate double with a win against Valkyrs B.

Having beaten Castletown Cammags and Harlequins A en route to the final, Vikings will again be considered strong favourites.

They secured a return to mixed hockey's elite by winning PwC Mixed Division One and only dropped one point throughout the season.

Valkyrs B have plenty of quality in their team, though, and will be buoyed following their semi-final win over Saracens Sabres last week.

Ollie Webster provides an obvious danger for the Vikings defence to deal with as the western outfit attempt to thwart Vikings B's efforts of a clean sweep.