Grange gearing up to halt runaway leaders Kelburne

GRANGE can do the rest of the league a massive favour if they can end Kelburne’s eight-game winning run at Peffermll tomorrow (11.30am).

The Paisley hockey team have a five-point cushion over Grange and a ten-point lead over third-placed Inverleith, who have played a game less.

Grange are in confident mood after thrashing second-bottom Hillhead 11-2 in Glasgow last Saturday. Colin Clarke, Grange’s coach, admitted: “That was a perfect warm-up for Saturday. It was something we’ve been threatening to do for some weeks.”

Kelburne player-coach Mark Ralph guided his men to a 9-0 victory over Inverleith at Forthbank, Stirling, and immediately brought them into a huddle.

He said: “Our decision-making up-front needs improved, and we missed several chances.”

Inverleith, who have lost their last two matches, aim to bounce back from last Saturday’s confidence-sapping defeat when they square-up to fifth-placed Edinburgh University at Peffermill (2.45pm).

The students should be at full-strength and former Olympic coach Dennis Hay, a consultant to the students, said: “Any points will be a welcome bonus to help stay in the top six in the table.

“This is our last home match in the league before the break so the incentive to do well is there.”

CALA Edinburgh, who are sixth with eight points, travel to seventh-placed Clydesdale (11.30am), who have six points, looking for their third win of the season.

The other matches see bottom club Dundee Wanderers clash with city rivals Grove Menzieshill while second-bottom Hillhead entertain fourth-placed Western.