Instonians host Queen’s University in Kirk Cup action this weekend with Adam Louden’s side looking to get their campaign up and running.
Inst suffered a heavy 12-1 defeat to reigning champions Lisnagarvey in their opening game, but now face more familiar opposition.
The sides have already gone head-to-head this campaign with Instonians winning 8-3 last month.
That day Ben Palmer, Stephen Kelso, Matthew McAreavey and Gavin Lecky all netted twice in a dominant performance from their side.
As the sides prepare to meet once more, Queen’s come into the fixture having lost four of their last five outings, last beating PSNI 2-0.
At Deramore Park, Belfast Harlequins get their competition underway as they host Bangor.
Quins have been out of action since November when a Matthew Gray goal wasn’t enough to earn a result against South Antrim as the side lost 3-1.
Despite the defeat, the Belfast side have been in fine for this season, winning three of their six League games including a 3-2 win over Bangor in September.
The visitors come into the game off the back of a brilliant performance against P.S.N.I as they won 8-3 at the Aurora Leisure Centre last Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, they have already proven their Cup prowess this campaign, reaching the Anderson Cup Final, whilst beating two EYHL sides en route.
Elsewhere North Down are looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat to Annadale last weekend as they host Portadown.
The Comber side suffered 9-3 loss to their Belfast opponents following a poor third quarter which saw them concede five goals in 10 minutes
Despite Gareth Bailey and Gareth McKeown (2) both getting their names on the scoresheet the side suffered a heavy loss which continues a poor run of form for the side.
Their visitors are looking to get their Kirk Cup campaign off to a winning start and will be relying on the form of forward Ryan Bennett who has netted six times this campaign.
The final game of the day sees Premier League title chasers South Antrim make the journey to Kilkeel.
The Lisburn outfit have had an impressive campaign to date, sitting second in the Premier League whilst also reaching the Anderson Cup Final.
However, they come into this weekend’s game off the back of a midweek defeat to Cookstown when two Greg Allen strikes condemned them to a 2-1 defeat.
Their hosts are also looking to overturn a recent defeat, having been thrashed 11-0 by last season’s beaten finalists Banbridge.
The defeat came despite a recent upturn in form which had seen the side win two of their last three games before the Christmas break.