The island’s second piece of rugby silverware will be one step closer to resolution this weekend when the semi-finals of the Manx Plate take place.
There are two cracking games on the cards for those able to tear themselves away from the RBS Six Nations.
At QEII High School in Peel, Western Vikings will host Ramsey B while at Port-e-Chee Douglas B welcome Vagabonds B.
The Port-e-Chee encounter looks like it will be a belter. Not only is it the oldest inter-club rivalry in domestic circles, but on form this season they look like very evenly matched sides.
In the Manx Shield, Douglas walloped an under-strength Vagas side at Port-e-Chee and Vagas returned the compliment in the reverse.
The two sides haven’t yet met in the Manx Trophy competition so this game will set down a marker for that too.
Both teams are broadly similar in composition with a mixture of youth and experience.
Up front the clash between Douglas prop Ben Dutnall and Vagas man mountain Jo Louw will make the earth move, while out wide Vagas’ young star Danny Kane could match up against Douglas pretty boy Jack Moore - who is of course a former Vagabond, just to add spice to the occasion.
Vagas’ skipper Johnny Beckley is predicting a game of Wales v England proportions.
In the other semi-final, Western Vikings will be hoping to repeat their Shield success against Ramsey who haven’t beaten Vikings at QEII for two seasons.
Ramsey have struggled a little player-wise since Christmas when they lost three players to Southern Nomads.
They have also suffered on the road this season and will be looking to change that and make the Plate final in what could be skipper Gareth Hinge’s final season as he reaches the tender age of 50 later this year.
Vikings have also suffered numberwise this season, however skipper Kevin Mellor is in excellent nick and does the work of two, whether in the centres or the back row.
The small QEII pitch may just suit Vikings who must start as favourites on current form.
Extra-time and the possibility of a drop goal shoot out will decide the outcome if any game is tied after 80 minutes.
This year’s Manx Telecom End2End Mountain Bike Challenge will see a new finish in Port Erin for the first time.
The 20th anniversary edition of the race will take place on Sunday, September 13 with organisers introducing some exciting changes including moving the finish from Cregneash to the Lower Promenade in Port Erin