Gef’s weekend sports preview

Another weekend, spells another busy weekend of sport here in the Isle of Man.

We’ll start by highlighting some of the island’s promising juniors who are in action both on and off the island.

On Saturday lunchtime, by way of a warm up for the Six Nations’ Super Saturday, Vagabonds’ under-15 side take on visitors Stockport in a Cheshire cup competition at Ballafletcher.
Kick-off in that one is a St Patrick’s Day hangover friendly midday.
Indeed that is the only domestic action this weekend with most fans of the oval ball game glued to their smart TVs for a solid six hours of title-deciding action.

Also flying the flag this weekend are some of the island’s aspiring athletes and hockey players.
In the latter, the Isle of Man’s under-16 boys’ team travel to Surrey to face Guildford B in the semi-finals of the England Hockey Championship Tier Two Plate competition.
A number of Manx youngsters will also be heading to the East Midlands this weekend for the English Schools’ Cross-Country Championships at Wollaton Park in Nottingham.

There’s plenty of hockey action on-island as well as the men’s and women’s league seasons reach the sharp end when promotion and relegations will be decided.
If you like your Champagne flat and sweaty, get down to the NSC shortly after 1.30pm where Bacchas A are likely to be crowned Men’s Premier League champions. The Tromode side only require two points to wrap up the title and face club-mates Bacchas B.

After a dalliance with the FA Cup last weekend, there’s a full hit of league games in football on Saturday afternoon, all kicking off at 2.30pm. There’s also the added bonus of a FC Isle of Man home game with Longridge Town the visitors to the Bowl on Saturday evening.

The fourth round of the the fell running league takes place on Saturday afternoon from 1.30pm. The 13km James Coulson Laxey Fell Race is based at Glen Ruy farm.
A short course of 4.8km is also being run as part of the junior championships.

A slight change of pace will follow on Sunday morning, as the final round of the Winter Walking League takes place on the NSC perimeter road. Signing on is 8.45am for a 9.30am start in that one.

Less than 24 hours after Mark Cavendish has tackled one of cycling’s toughest one-day races, the Milan-Sanremo, the next generation of Manx Missiles will be taking part of in the Isle of Man 25-mile time trial on Sunday morning.
The first rider away from Ballaugh Bridge gets under way at 9am.

There’s tons to get motorsport fans’ oil running hot this weekend on two and four wheels.
The Three Legs of Mann classic car rally concludes on Saturday afternoon with auto tests at Jurby and Noble’s Park.
There’s plenty of off-road action on Sunday, with the second round of the ACU motocross championship at Knock Froy, youth trials at Old Stoney Mountain Quarry near Foxdale, and a Vintage MCC trial at Arrasey.

Finally, the netball season’s penultimate set of league fixtures take place on Sunday morning, with games in the top two division at both the NSC and Bemahague.