Hockey: Grange grab a league and cup double

GRANGE secured a double against PSL Clydesdale, beating them 3-0 at Titwood on Saturday in the Aberdeen Asset Management First Division and yesterday marching into the quarter-finals of the Arthur McKay Scottish Cup with a 6-4 win.

The league win put the Edinburgh side a point ahead of champions Glynhill Kelburne, who have two games in hand.

Grange started the brighter and Rob Barr had a penalty corner strike saved by Stuart Brown. Cammie Fraser had a gilt-edged chance but missed a cross in front of goal.

The former international made amends midway through the half when fired a powerful low shot past Brown.

With five minutes left in the half, Adam Walker made an opening up the right by-line and squared the ball to Phil Sully, who picked his spot.

Grange had most of the pressure after the break without increasing their tally but the result was finally sealed with another penetrating run up the right by Walker. This time, his cross was slotted home by Murdo Elwis to make it 3-0.

In the cup, Clydesdale raced into a three-goal lead through Rory McCann, John Martin and Ciaran Crawford but, crucially, Grange got one back before half-time through Adam Walker from a penalty corner rebound.

Within four minutes of the restart, Grange were level at 3-3 with two goals from Fraser.

Thereafter, it was all Grange, Matt Connor, Fraser for his hat-trick and Phil Sully made the score 6-3 before Crawford scored a consolation at the death for the home side.

Grove Menzieshill retained their third spot in the table, but only after a spirited fightback against Western Wildcats. The Taysiders found themselves 3-1 down just before the interval, Scott McCartney with a double and Ian Moodie were on target for the Wildcats while Gavin Tomlinson from a penalty corner provided the reply.

But the Dundonians retaliated through Tomlinson from another set-piece before the break, then, in the second half, Ally Irvine and Gavin Byers secured a 4-3 victory.

Edinburgh University eased their relegation worries with a 3-2 win over Watsonians, who are practically doomed.

Gordonians continued their Houdini act with a 2-0 win over AMN Hillhead to move out of the relegation play-off spot for the first time this season.

In the women’s league Grove retained their perfect record with a 5-1 win over Wildcats, while Milne Craig Western beat Grange 3-1. The CALA against Edinburgh University game fell victim to the snow.