Hockey: Champions set for triple challenge in race for title

By CRAIG MADDEN
Published on Saturday 28 January 2012 00:00

CHAMPIONS Inverleith are under a degree of pressure – they are currently six points adrift of Menzieshill with a game in hand – and today have a gruelling three-game schedule against Glynhill Kelburne, VWS Dundee Wanderers and finally Greaves Clydesdale.

“It is always difficult when you play three games in one day,” said Inverleith coach Stuart Neave. “However, we are looking forward to the challenge as all three teams have shown their ability to make it difficult for their opposition this season.”

Neave is all too aware that any slip-up in these three encounters would almost certainly be fatal to his side’s hopes of retaining the title, and it is unlikely he can rely on Menzieshill losing their unbeaten record to Cala Edinburgh or Western Wildcats.

Perhaps the biggest banana skill is Kelburne. With the likes of Willie Marshall, Alan Forsyth and Gareth Hall in the ranks, the Paisley outfit are certainly capable of rattling in the goals in their mercurial style of play.

Goal difference could eventually come into play if Inverleith beat Menzieshill in the final outing of the season, and the sides finish level on points. At the moment the Taysiders are ten goals in front.

With wins over Cala and Wildcats last weekend, Grange have consolidated their third place in the table which could be almost secured if they see off Dundee Wanderers and Kelburne today.

If Cala are not to make an immediate return to the Second Division, they must take full points from their encounters with Clydesdale and Wanderers – it would be a miracle if they took anything from their other clash with Menzieshill.

Their sole point came from a 5-5 draw with the Titwood outfit, but even that would not be of any use as the Glasgow side are six points ahead.

In the women’s league, Milne Craig Western’s title aspirations hang on the need to beat Grove Menzieshill in the game of the day. Western are six points adrift of leaders VWS Dundee Wanderers and three behind second placed Grove, so anything other than a victory would prove fatal and leave the title chase exclusively to the Tayside duo.

Wanderers should pick up full points against Clydesdale and Kelburne, while mid-table Cala Edinburgh are also up against the same two sides.

Meanwhile, Great Britain women begin their Champions Trophy campaign in Rosario, Argentina with a pool match against a Japan side seeded five places below them on the world rankings. The Japanese were promoted by winning last year’s Champions Challenge in Dublin, during which they drew 1-1 with Scotland.

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