Manxman David Higgins will pay a special tribute to the late great Colin McRae at this weekend’s Wales Rally GB.

Higgins and co-driver Craig Drew, will compete in the final round of this year’s World Rally Championship in a NR4-specification Subaru machine.

Entered by Subaru of America, Higgins’s car will carry a distinctive livery that is reminiscent of the blue and yellow colours that adorned McRae’s title-winning Subaru of two decades ago.

The vehicle, which brother Mark used in various parade laps at the year’s TT, has since been further modified by British preparation specialist, JRM, and is the newest production rally car in the world.

The recently-crowned American champion, who has spent the early part of the week testing at his family’s rally school in mid-Wales, commented:

‘It definitely brought a lump to my throat to see the car in its blue and yellow livery and I’m sure it will be pretty emotional when Jimmy [Colin’s father] waves us across the ceremonial start ramp on Thursday in Llandudno.’

‘Colin was the guy that made drivers like me believe it was possible to make a career out of rallying and, along with Richard [Burns] who came along afterwards, we have a lot to thank them for.’

Isle of Man Coastguard has been awarded Best Turned Out Unit on parade at the 2015 Tynwald Day ceremony and Holly Taylor from the Ramsey station Best Turned Out Individual.

In recognition, the service received a £50 donation to the Royal Naval Association, Ramsey, a certificate signed by the President of Tynwald Clare Christian, and an engraved plaque. Holly Taylor received a certificate and plaque also.

Coastguard operations officer Michael MacDonald said: ‘The service relies totally on volunteer teams, without them we could not operate, so I am proud and honoured that they have been recognised as Best Turned Out Unit.’

Presenting the awards Mrs Christian said: ‘Tynwald Day not only brings the Isle of Man community together in celebration but it also provides an opportunity for service organisations to take a central role in contributing to the ceremonial proceedings which are so much part of our National Day.

‘My thanks go to Isle of Man Coastguard for turning out with a strong contingent on what was a very miserable day, and I congratulate them on their achievement and for the dedication shown in providing a vital volunteer search and rescue service.’

The first round of the Manx Netball Association’s cup competition took place on Sunday.

RESULTS: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Manx Cup first round

SMP Ballasalla C 27, Team DQ 40

Marbree Motors 18, Thompson White 32

SMP Ballasalla A 70, Castletown Pink 6

Thompson Lilac 40, Thompson Fuchsia 10

Route 1 Dynamos 5,

Bobby Sadler Young Farmers 44

Simcocks White Eagles 19,

PwC Manx Gem Rubies 36

Manx Glass Saints 26, Missfits B 21

Fencibles A 26, Absolute Scaffolding 20

FIXTURES: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15

Premier Division

9am NSC Simcocks Blue Eagles

v Route 1 Turbos

10am NSCRoute 1 Connections

v Thompson Purple

10am NSC SMP Ballasalla A

v Browne Craine Toomraiders

10am SNLS SMP Ballasalla B

v PwC Manx Gems Rubies

11am NSC Simcocks Red Eagles v Missfits A

Division One

9am SNLS Fencibles A v Team DQ

9am CRHS PwC Manx Gems Emeralds

v Castletown Pink

10am CRHS Marbree Motors

v Simcocks White Eagles

11am NSC Thompson White

v Manx Glass Saints

11am SNLS Bobby Sadler Young Farmers

v The Spaniards

Division Two

9am NSC Thompson Lilac v Missfits B

9am SNLS Thompson Fuchsia

v Route 1 Sparks

10am SNLS Fencibles B v Thompson Violet

11am SNLS Missfits C v Castletown Navy

11am CRHS SMP Ballasalla C

v Route 1 Reactors

12pm CRHS PwC Manx Gems Sapphires

v Simcocks Green Eagles

U14 Division One

12pm NSC PwC Manx Gems Diamonds

v Thompson Travel Cats

12pm NSC Absolute Scaffolding

v Simcocks Eagles Red

12pm SNLS PwC Manx Gems Amethysts

v PwC Manx Gems Opals

12pm SNLS Fencibles Black

v Route 1 Chargers

Isle of Man footballer Liam Doyle continues to go from strength to strength in America, helping Ohio State University clinch the Big 10 Conference title last week.

The St George’s player - who can operate either in defence or midfield - has been one of the Buckeyes’ star performers throughout the season and was subsequently named as the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year, the third Buckeye to be named the top defender in the conference and first since the 2009 campaign.

Ohio State have been in scintillating form of late and continued their impressive run with an extra-time victory over Penn State courtesy of Kyle Culbertson’s 93rd minute strike. In doing so, they also broke the university’s previous record of eight successive home victories.

After picking up the silverware, Doyle and several of his team-mates were invited to appear on Fox Sports’ Good Morning Columbus show on television where the proud Manxie talked about the Isle of Man.

The Buckeyes will now face Rutgers in Friday’s Big 10 Tournament semis, before the final takes place on Sunday.

The Isle of Man is preparing for a spell of stormy weather.

The Met Office says that gusts are likely to reach 60 to 70mph, perhaps 70 to 75mph in places, tonight and this may cause some damage. Winds are due to swing to a strong to gale force southwesterly. Maximum temperature 13 or 14 Celsius.

The Steam Packet warned that sailings might be disrupted because of the bad weather, while the police asked motorists to take special care on the roads.

Earlier today King Edward Road, from Port Jack in Onchan to Summer Hill in Douglas was shut.

We can expect an unsettled weekend with periods of rain throughout Saturday and Sunday, and strong to gale force winds at times. The rain is likely to give a risk of localised flooding.

Round two of the Aston International Winter Hill Running League takes place at Eairy Beg Plantation, Glen Helen this Saturday.

Registration will be at the main car park at Glen Helen from 12.15pm until 1.15pm with the race starting at 1.30pm.

The 4.5km course will be challenging but not too difficult. Minimum age is 12 years on race day.

The third and final round will be at Slieau Whallian on Saturday, December 12.

More info at manxfellrunners.org

Fixtures at a glance

Thursday, November 12 - Ramsey Bakery Firemen’s Run, round two, 7pm, Ramsey fire station. Distances 5.1 miles and 1.7 miles. All welcome.

Round three Thursday, December 3.

Sunday, October 25 - Up & Running Ltd-sponsored Winter Race Walking League, round two, Andreas village, sign on 9.15 in the village hall for a 10am start. Marshals and lap recorder required.

Round three: Sunday, December 13, St John’s - www.manxharriers.com

Sunday, November 22 - Haldane Fisher Syd Quirk Half-Marathon (run/walk), 13.1 miles, Ronaldsway Social Club. Isle of Man Veteran Athletes’ Club.

Entries close this MOnday, November 16 - fees: affiliated to an athletic club £10; unattached £15. The event forms the 2015 Isle of Man Half-Marathon Championship.

Sunday, November 29 - Isle of Man Bank Peel to Douglas trail run, Manx Harriers.

www.manxharriers.com

Round two of the Microgaming-sponsored cross-country league was postponed at Ballannette on Sunday because of unfavourable conditions.

Round three is on December 6 at Crossags, Ramsey.

To list your event in the column, email sportsdesk@newsiom.co.im or phone 695654.

Residents in a block of flats in Onchan are puzzled to find that on rainy days they have a new water feature to admire.

But sadly it’s not an attractive asset to the landscape but an impromptu lake that appears across their car park every time it rains – and according to one resident it was perfectly well drained until it was resurfaced earlier this year.

Michael Leather, who is one of the residents at Springfield Court in Onchan said: ‘It was perfectly well drained until it was resurfaced by the Department of Infrastrucuture earler this year, in June. Before the resurfacing this never happened. But before, it was a chipping surface which has now been replaced with a Tarmac one.’

The flats, which are commissioners’ flats under warden control, comprise a block of around 60, Mr Leather said, with perhaps 100 residents, many of whom are well over 70.

Having complained about the standing water, he said he had been told it was not deep enough to merit any action.

‘But one of my concerns is that when the colder weather comes the whole lot could freeze over,’ he said.

‘Some of the residents could easily slip over on it and break something. If they are 70 or 80 years old they could well end up spending time in hospital as a result, all because they could not be bothered to do a proper resurfacing job.

‘The standing water affects the pavement as well as the car park because there doesn’t seem to be a proper crown on the surface now. The residents are far from happy.’

An extra cause of concern is the fact that no lines have been repainted in the car park indicating designated parking spaces or hatching for areas to be kept clear for emergency vehicle access such as ambulances and fire engines.

Mr Leather said on the original car park an area was specially marked for emergency access to the building but this had not been reinstated. Moreover, with no marked parking spaces vehicles often now park across the equivalent of two spaces.

A spokesman for the DoI said the situation would be monitored.

He said: ‘Prior to the improvement work being carried out, the surface of the road and parking area was in very poor condition.

‘Parts of the surface were badly potholed, which presented a hazard to the elderly residents of Springfield Court. The surface is now much smoother.

‘There was also an existing issue with standing water in the area where vehicles parked. This matter has been resolved and an additional gulley has been created in the car park to assist drainage.

‘Following the completion of the scheme, a small amount of standing water has been noticed during periods of heavy rainfall. This is because the new surface features a more impermeable material, so the water will not dissipate as it did previously through the cracked, failing surface.

‘The parking bays will be relined as part of the department’s lining renewal programme. This will take place once lining work that is considered critical to highway safety has been undertaken.

‘The Department of Infrastructure will continue to monitor the area around Springfield Court during periods of heavy rainfall and an engineer is scheduled to visit the site again this week.’

Island based bitcoin and blockchain services provider CoinCorner is looking to raise funds via an equity crowdfunding campaign on Seedrs.

The company is looking to raise £300,000 to accelerate the growth of its consumer-focused bitcoin exchange across Europe and further develop their blockchain App Store.

The campaign was going live today (Thursday) for 60 days.

Founded in June 2014, CoinCorner has quickly grown to become one of the European leaders in the bitcoin and blockchain space, with more than 21,000 registered users.

The company was self-funded by the co-founders for the first nine months, before receiving an investment sum of £150,000 from angel investor, Alex Holt.

This initial round of investment enabled CoinCorner to develop their product range, expand the team and grow to become what is reputed to be the largest consumer-focused bitcoin exchange in the Brirish Isles.

CoinCorner says a successful Seedrs campaign will allow it to continue with the expansion of its consumer-focused bitcoin exchange into Europe, rolling out the website in more languages and increasing the number of support team staff to cater for their growing number of European customers.

Simon Lynch, the singer from Greeba who featured on the X Factor television competition earlier this autumn, will perform Elbow’s ‘One Day Like This’ on a charity CD to raise funds for the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group.

Members of the public are being invited to join a special recording session, and be filmed taking part, on Saturday, November 28, at either at the Sea Terminal (10.30am) or Noa Bakehouse (12.15pm) in Douglas.

‘We think Simon really does have the “X Factor”,’ said Carole Male of the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group.

‘We were delighted when he agreed to make this CD for us. Dave Armstrong at DAM Productions then suggested we open it to a wider audience by getting the very talented Manx public to join in the chorus of the Elbow anthem “One Day Like This”, so this really is a true Isle of Man charity CD.’

People who cannot get to Douglas on November 28, can still take part.

‘Anyone can record and film themselves and their friends, singing the chorus of “One Day Like This” and submit the clip to videos@manxbreastcancersupportgroup.com,’ said Carole. The best will be included in the finished film to be uploaded to YouTube on December 12, when the CD will go on sale, priced just £4.99.’

The CD – and accompanying ‘making of’ film – has been produced and engineered for the charity by Dave Armstrong of DAM productions, and is sponsored by Novo Altum, with distribution being handled by Duke Marketing keeping the overall costs to a minimum.

Also appearing on the CD are backing singers which include a host of local theatre groups, school children, breast care nurses, radio presenters and Douglas fire officers.

The CD also includes covers of Jess Glynne’s ‘Hold My Hand’, and Take That favourite ‘Let in the Sun’ performed by popular local singer Mark Walton. But there’s more – a bonus track, ‘Dear Santa’, written and performed by rising star Mae Challis.

A number of events surrounding the release of the CD are planned, but in the meantime there are two other ways school children and the business community can be involved.

Details of a competition for local children to design the CD poster have been sent to all the island schools, and for corporate supporters there is an opportunity to bid for the chance to sing with Simon on the CD. More details of how to enter can be found on the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group Facebook page.

The Manx Breast Cancer Support Group is the charity behind the new Breast Care Unit at Noble’s Hospital.

Mum-of-two Sheeba Thiagarajan has launched a new business on a mission to help improve the health of Manx residents.

Sheeba, 42, offers practical nutritional advice and help for individual clients, families, the community at large and the corporate world – as well as bringing a proven weight loss programme to the Isle of Man.

Sheeba, who is highly qualified and has a wealth of knowledge in the health industry, also offers nutrition education and health promotion in the form of talks, seminars and workshops to the community and the island’s private sector.

Sheeba, of Brunswick Road, Douglas, says people are often bombarded with nutritional information in the news and online which can be confusing and overwhelming.

However Ideal Nutrition will help clients by offering evidence based bespoke solutions.

Sheeba, Ideal Nutrition’s director and consultant, has worked in Australia and New Zealand as well as the Isle of Man.

She told Business News she came over to live in the island 10 years ago with her husband and they love it here.

She said: ‘My business aims at people wanting to improve their health and wellbeing and disease prevention through good food, nutrition and lifestyle modification, employers looking out for the health and wellbeing of their employees through nutrition education and also for clients who wish to lose weight and maintain weight for good health.

‘I consider it a privilege to be able to serve the community and offer nutritional services in Isle of Man and I look forward to developing my niche in the business.

‘It’s been a dream come true to have set up my own business and I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family, friends and well-wishers for their wonderful support.’

Sheeba took part in a small business start up programme run by the DED and says it was ‘brilliant.’

She felt she was now ready to embark on running her own business after bringing up her children who are now 12 and nine. As part of Ideal Nutrition. Sheeba says she is proud to bring Counterweight, a weight loss and weight management programme, to the Isle of Man.

She says Counterweight is an evidence based, structured, fully evaluated lifestyle weight management programme which is a proven effective programme, in line with NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) and SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) guidelines and with over 12 years of experience in UK Healthcare.

Sheeba is a registered nutritionist (UKVRN) specialising in public health nutrition with The Association For Nutrition.

She has a B.Sc. degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, M.Sc. degree in Foods and Nutrition and an M.Phil degree in Biochemistry. She is a trained and accredited Counterweight weight loss and management practitioner.

She has both core and advanced level training in HENRY (Health Exercise and Nutrition for the really Young) as well as being an accredited leader in Live Well Stay Well (long term condition) and Looking After Me (helping carers look after themselves) in the Isle Of Man.

For more information on Ideal Nutrition visit www.Idealnutrition.org or email idealnutritioniom@gmail.com

Alternatively call/text 357120 or visit www.facebook.com/idealnutritioniom

Christmas must be coming. The Post Office has announced its last dates for posting in time for December 25.

Airmail bound for Africa and Middle East should be sent no later than December 2, while Cyprus, Asia and Far East is December 3 and the Caribbean, Central and South America is December 4.

Mail destined for Greece, Australia and New Zealand must be sent by December 7, with Czech Republic, Germany, Italy and Poland by December 8.

Those posting to Canada, Finland, Sweden and the USA should post items by December 11.

Meanwhile, Austria, Iceland, Ireland, Portugal and Spain should be sent by December 14. Finally, December 15 is the last posting date for France and December 16 for Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia and Switzerland.

For friends and family in the forces, mail must be sent by no later than December 9 for static BFPOs and November 26 for operational BFPOs. Don’t forget friends and family can continue to send letters and parcels up to 2kg free of charge to any BFPO address.

The last posting date for sending letters, large letters and packets to the UK and using Parcelforce 48 is December 21 while last posting dates for local mail and Parcelforce next day and Special Delivery next day guaranteed service for UK, Channel Islands and local delivery is December 22. For full details of last posting dates visit iompost.com/Christmas.

The customer services centre at postal headquarters, Douglas, is open 7am to 7.30pm. Monday to Friday and until 12.30pm on Saturdays all year round.

On December 24 and 31 the posting counter will be open for customers collecting and sending parcels until 5pm. Alternatively, customers that miss their parcel delivery can arrange for their item to be redelivered to their home address by completing an online request.

Or, to avoid missing any deliveries altogether, customers can sign up for our Safe Place service. This means if you are not at home when the postman delivers a package it can be left in a Safe Place as nominated by you. Details of redelivery and Safe Place services can be found at iompost.com, alternatively pick up a Safe Place form at your local Post Office.

Post office shops will be open as normal in the lead up to Christmas with the exception of Christmas Eve when they will close at 1pm and 16.00 on New Year’s Eve. All Post Offices and operational sites will be closed on Christmas Day through till December 28 inclusive and January 1, 2016

On January 2, all post offices will be open as usual including the customer services suite at postal headquarters. Any business customers who would like to discuss their collections (including private boxes) and deliveries during the Christmas period are invited to call the business development team on 698444.

During the festive period the Department of Health and Social Care has agreed to the early encashment of pensions and allowances for the convenience of customers, therefore pensions and allowances due for payment on December 25 and 28 can be collected one week in advance of their stated date and allowances due on January 1 may be collected from December 29.

Customers of Anagh Coar and Foxdale post offices will be able to collect their benefits and pensions using their MiCard.

This Christmas the Post Office will continue to offer a free reply service for all the children that write letters to Father Christmas. Father Christmas will try to respond to each and every letter so these should be sent as soon as possible with a reply address to ensure they get there safely and timely.

This year’s Christmas stamps which were created by local artist Julia Ashby-Smyth celebrate the 250th anniversary of the first Prayer Book to be published in Manx.

The Christmas Prayer Book collectables use self-adhesive stamps printed with metallic gold ink and have been produced to a small size, to affix to any Christmas card.

The collection includes sets and sheets of 25 stamps, a presentation pack, first day cover and a stamp booklet including additional envelope ‘seals’ – decorative stickers to add to Christmas cards or presents – featuring the seasonal religious Manx words from the set. The pack also contains for the first time a £3.20 stamp for customers sending parcels.

Jonathan Joughin has been voted in as the new MHK for Douglas East.

The former Douglas town councillor won by a narrow margin.

He received 159 votes.

Clare Bettison won 146; Richard Falk 145; Geraldine O’Neill 131; Cat Turner (Lib Van) 108; John McBride 90; Kurt Buccholz 75.

The turnout was 30.51 per cent and 865 votes were cast.

Mr Joughin thanked people who’d helped him win the election and told Manx Radio: ‘I will try to keep in touch with the people of East Douglas.’

East Douglas often has a low turnout.

It has a higher percentage of rented accommodation than other constituencies in the island. Residents are likely to be disproportionately younger as a result.

The bad weather probably had an effect on turnout as well.

The successful candidate got his seat with just 18.36 per cent of the votes cast. As a percentage of the total of eligible voters, it was just 5.6 per cent.

Mr Joughin will not have long to get used to his new role before he’ll have to campaign again.

The general election, in which all Keys constituencies will be up for grabs, will take place in September next year.

For Mr Joughin, his election to the Keys marks something of a reversal of fortune.

In the summer he was forced to quit Douglas Council when it was discovered he was not on the electoral roll.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/councillor-forced-to-step-down-1-7374009|Read our story about that here.}

We asked all the candidates to write 400 words for the Isle of Man Examiner on the eve of the election.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/jon-joughin-squeaks-in-as-new-mhk-for-douglas-east-1-7568857|This is what Mr Joughin wrote.}

The number of people out of work at the end of October was up slightly on the month earlier.

The latest government figures show that 774 people were registered as out of work – that’s nine up on the end of September.

However, it’s 92 down on October 2014 and is the lowest October figure for four years.

While 199 people signed on to the unemployment register during the month, 190 left it.

During the month 665 vacncies were notified to the Job Centre, of which 69 per cent were for full time positions.

The island’s unemployment rate is 1.7 per cent, so it’s far lower than most places in the Western world.

In the UK, it’s 5.3 per cent; in Germany it’s 6 per cent; USA 5 per cent; Spain 21.2 per cent; Republic of Ireland 9.5 per cent.

Looking deeper into the Manx figures reveals skills shortages and surpluses.

Eighty-eight people with a background in construction were looking for jobs at the end of the month but only nine were notified during the month.

But there were 18 vacancies in eduction, with eight with education qualifications looking for work.

The statistic was even more marked for health. While there are 53 vacancies there, only 13 with a health background were looking for work.

A one per cent increase for reservoir fishing licences will be put forward to Tynwald next month.

Tynwald is to be asked to approve a rise in the cost of reservoir licences taking the price for a season to £208 for adults, £146.50 for those entitled to concessions and £78.80 for students.

The price of day and week licences would increase by two per cent making adult licences £16.30 a day or £74.50 a week, and student licences £9.20 a day or £32.60 a week. Children require a licence to fish at reservoirs but these are issued free of charge.

The rise would be the first increase in price since 2013 and would come into effect at the start of the 2016 fishing season, which begins on March 10.

Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said a recent survey conducted on behalf of the Department of Economic Development showed angling was among the top three activities that could attract new visitors to the island boosting the economy.

He said the proceeds from the sale of freshwater licences will ensure the island offers excellent opportunities for anglers.

‘This modest increase will allow us to continue to invest in improving facilities, maintaining habitats and taking steps to deter poaching, so both visiting and local anglers have an enjoyable and successful visit to our reservoirs.’

Further information on fishing opportunities, licence prices and where licences can be purchased can be found by visiting www.gov.im and clicking on Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture and then Fisheries Directorate.

Tynwald is to be asked to approve reducing the size of the Education Council to cut costs.

The change would decrease the council from 15 members to a maximum of 10 and would come into effect when the new Education Council is appointed in December.

The council advises the Department of Education and its members sit on the governing bodies of schools and the Isle of Man College.

The island branch of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association challenged schools and offices to Wear Shades for the Day in Guide Dog Week.

Schoolchildren were also invited to get creative to design a dog tag to be worn by the lifesize collection dogs at the Sea Terminal, Gaiety Theatre and the Villa Marina.

The winner was Dangelica Red Domingo, aged six, a year one pupil at Henry Bloom Noble School, in Douglas.

She was presented with a toy Guide Dog puppy by Shirley Jones of Specsavers, where the 72 most impressive designs were on display last week.

Meanwhile, the charity has three new lifesize collection dogs arriving in the island soon. Any firms or organisations that would like to offer one a home should get in touch via their Facebook page ‘Guide Dogs in the Isle of Man’.

Following a very successful ‘Dine in the Dark’ event at Portofino Restaurant the fundraising committee is now organising a ‘Dinner in the Dark’ event for the New Year.

The bill for the now-ditched plans for a TT World Series has risen to just shy of £300,000.

Last month, DED Minister Laurence Skelly told MHKs that total expenditure was £276,360 covering all fees and expenses paid to the Sports Consultancy. But a further £79,739.09 has been paid since June, when the figure was £220,113, taking the total to £299,852.20.

PwC Mixed Premier

Canaccord Genuity Vikings A will be looking to add to their points tally when they meet Bacchas B in Saturday’s lunchtime fixture at the NSC.

Daniel Williams’s Vikings have suffered only one defeat so far this season but were held to a draw last time the sides met.

Anthony Bentley-Roberts’s Bacchas side will be hoping they can cause another upset this time and claim a share of the points.

PwC Mixed Division One

Harlequins A will try to extend their lead at the top of the PwC Mixed Division One when they take on Bacchas C at the NSC on Saturday morning.

Nick Hamer’s Harlequins have won five matches in a row since an opening-day defeat to Valkyrs B.

They will begin this match as favourites having defeated the Tromode side last time they met. However, John McCarrick’s Bacchas have won their last two league matches and will be aiming to extend that winning run to three.

PwC Mixed Division Two

LJ Rookies go in search of their first points of the season when they face Bacchas Colts on Saturday afternoon.

Jenny Lantry’s Rookies have endured a difficult season so far but will be aiming to show improvement here.

Opponents Bacchas have just the one victory this campaign, that coming over Rookies. There was just one goal between the two sides last time and this once again promises to be a close match.

PwC Mixed Division Three

The top two sides in Division Three go head-to-head when Canaccord Genuity Vikings D play Crowe Morgan Valkyrs D in Saturday’s lunchtime fixture at Ramsey Grammar School.

David Rivers’s Vikings are unbeaten so far this campaign and will be aiming for another victory here which would see them take a four-point lead at the top of the table.

Opponents Valkyrs were narrowly defeated last time the two sides met and Donna Harrison will be hoping her side can inflict a first defeat of the season on Vikings.

Saturday’s Fixtures

PwC Mixed Premier Division

Bacchas A v LJ Ramsey A NSC 2.05pm

Ian Duggua, Peter Foxton

Bacchas B

v Canaccord Genuity Vikings A NSC 12.35pm

James Harrison, Tim Leeming

Crowe Morgan Valkyrs A v Celts QEII 2.05pm

Mark Entwisle, Vic Ferns

PwC Mixed Division One

Harlequins A v Bacchas C NSC 11.05am

Kirsty Bowley, Peter Foxton

Crowe Morgan Valkyrs C

v Crowe Morgan Valkyrs B QEII 12.35pm

Andrea Littlejohns

Canaccord Genuity Vikings Mixed B

v Saracens Sabres CRHS 3.35pm

James Russell, Laurence Watterson

PwC Mixed Division Two

Harlequins Colts v Cammags CRHS 2.05pm

Alex Cave, James Russell

LJ Ravens

v Canaccord Genuity Vikings C RGS 2.05pm

Nigel Birken, Sandra Smith

LJ Rookies v Bacchas Colts RGS 3.35pm

Dee Gimbert, Rob McKenzie

PwC Mixed Division Three

Southerners v Bacchas D QEII 11.05am

Chris Callow, Juan Killey

Saracens Sharks v Harlequins B CRHS 12.35pm

George Powell

Crowe Morgan Valkyrs D

v Canaccord Genuity Vikings D RGS 12.35pm

Ken Carney, Connor Duggua

PwC Mixed U16s’ League

Saracens v Bacchas CRHS 11.05

Andrew Bentley Helen Cave

Canaccord Genuity Vikings

v LJ Rogues and Rascals NSC 3.35pm

Tom Evans, Jess Tarpey

The pick of this week’s Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield action is at Ballafletcher where defending champions PDMS Southern Nomads play third-placed Vagabonds B.

Nomads, who currently sit second, put in a ruthless second-half performance against leaders Douglas last Saturday and ran in 47 unanswered points to blitz Douglas 64-5.

Gerard Landels was on fire in the Nomads midfield running in four tries.

Vagas also had a comfortable win at Castletown, but this meeting with Nomads will be the first real test of the season for new skipper Paul Howard.

There’s also an intriguing game at Mooragh Park where fourth-place Ramsey B entertain leaders Douglas B.

Ramsey skipper James Wren has his sights set on a Manx Trophy place at the end of the regular season and needs a top-four finish to achieve that. A win against Douglas would really help that ambition.

Much will depend on the travelling first teams here and one, the other or both sides could be reinforced by players unavailable for selection.

Things should become clearer on Saturday afternoon and until then, Mark Shortland’s Douglas team must start as favourites.

Last but by no means least, Emerging Nomads and Noa Nomads meet at King William’s College.

They are the second and third teams (respectively) of Southern Nomads. Noa, however, are above Emerging in the standings (albeit they’ve played more games). Emerging are missing skipper Dion Meechan who is out for the season with knee ligament damage and could be rudderless.

Noa will be without try machine Neil Collister and his absence will blunt their blade for sure. I suspect Emerging may take this one, but there’s a rematch in seven days time so Noa may yet bounce back.

FIXTURES: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14

South Lancs/Cheshire Division One

Liverpool Collegiate v Douglas @ Collegiate

Cheshire (South)

Manchester Medics v Vagabonds @ Medics

Marple v Ramsey @ Marple ko 1.30pm

Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield all ko @ 2.15pm

Vagabonds B v PDMS Southern Nomads @ Ballafletcher

Ramsey B v Douglas B @ Mooragh Park

Castletown P-P Western Vikings

Emerging Nomads v Noa Nomads @ King William’s College

There is a much-reduced programme of fixtures in JCK Division Two this weekend, with just a couple of matches taking place on Saturday afternoon.

The pick of these two games - rearranged from last weekend - is undoubtedly at Victoria Road where leaders Douglas Athletic travel to Braddan.

Prior to the weather-enforced break at the weekend, Athletic recorded a resounding 19-3 demolition of Governor’s Athletic, during which leading goalscorer Mark Wolfenden helped himself to no fewer than eight goals.

Braddan faced a much sterner test as they played out a hard-fought 2-2 draw away at Colby last time out, a result which leaves them lying in sixth place in the table but well positioned to challenge for at least a spot in the top four.

Last season Athletic completed a league double over the Swans thanks to 4-0 and 4-2 wins and the Springfield Road side will fancy their chances of doing so again.

However, Braddan have improved since then and boast a side featuring the likes of Andy Glover and Connor Dempsey and can therefore cause problems for the leaders if on form.

The other game in the second division sees Onchan travel to Billy Goat Park to take on Foxdale. Two points separate the sides in the standings - in Foxdale’s favour - while form would suggest that the hosts will edge this match, having garnered five points from their last six games compared to Onchan’s four.

Another close game should be in store.