After a long gap the Manx Trophy returns this Saturday with a huge game at Ballafletcher between Vagabonds B and PDMS Southern Nomads.
Nomads have already lost their opening game in the competition and another defeat here would make it difficult for them to qualify for finals day.
A top-two finish is all that’s required but with the size of the league, two defeats will make it very challenging.
Vagas B have been something of a surprise package this season.
They took the Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield just before Christmas and they added the Manx Plate earlier this month.
The Trophy would given them an unprecedented treble.
The squad is a mixture of youth and experience and it works well together.
Many of the players featured in last week’s Manx Cup game against Nomads too and they’ll have a rough idea of what to expect.
Nomads should, however, welcome back Ian Hargreaves this week so they’ll be a bit stronger than they were and this should make for a close game.
Nevertheless Nomads will still be missing Harry Brereton and Steve McHugh.
On current form, I fancy Vagabonds might just take this one.
l In the Shimmin Wilson Manx Bowl, early pacesetters Western Vikings travel to Ramsey B on Saturday.
Vikings will be without last weekend’s hat-trick man Kevin Mellor who was carted away with a suspected broken bone in his leg and looks to be out for the remainder of the season.
This should be close but I suspect Vikings may just edge it on current form and match fitness.
Saturday’s fixtures
South Lancs/Cheshire Div One
Douglas v Anselmians @ Port-e-Chee ko 3pm
South Lancs/Cheshire Div Two
Liverpool Collegiate v Ramsey @ Liverpool
Marple v Vagabonds @ Marple
Women’s Championship North Two
Sheffield v Vagabonds @ Sheffield
Shimmin Wilson Manx Trophy
Vagabonds v PDMS Southern Nomads @ Ballafletcher ko 2.15pm
Shimmin Wilson Manx Bowl
Ramsey B v Western Vikings @ Mooragh Park ko 2.15pm