Hockey: Grange still top of first division

GRANGE still top the Aberdeen Asset Management first division by a single point from Glynhill Kelburne after the sides drew 2-2 at Peffermill yesterday.

However, the Paisley side are in the driving seat, with two games in hand against Grove Menzieshill and Western Wildcats, while Grange have now finished their programme.

The draw was a disappointment for Grange coach Colin Clarke, particularly as they led 2-0 at half-time, but their runners-up spot and a place in Europe next season are in some jeopardy, as third-placed Grove Menzieshill are four points adrift with two outstanding games.

Cammie Fraser fired a fierce low shot past Mark Fulton for Grange’s opener and they went two up in 20 minutes when Murdo Elwin strode into the circle and slammed the ball home.

Kelburne were the dominant force in the second half and Mark Ralph dispatched a spot effort into the roof of the net to reduce the deficit. With four minutes remaining, Kelburne’s pressure paid off as Jonny Christie found the net under the bar to level the scores.

In the relegation zone, Watsonians dropped out of the top flight after losing 5-3 to a resurgent Gordonians side that could now avoid the play-off spot. Watsonians then gave AMN Hillhead a lifeline yesterday when they went down 3-1 to the Glasgow side. Edinburgh University got the single point they required for safety with a 1-1 draw against Inverleith.

The games that were put on ice this weekend on account of the Arctic conditions provide a further headache to the beleaguered Scottish Hockey competitions management. It is difficult to see when the backlog of postponed men’s fixtures will be played with the forthcoming EuroLeague over Easter and the latter stages of the Scottish Cup scheduled for early April.

In the women’s league, Grove Menzieshill moved inexorably towards retaining their first division title with a 5-0 win over CALA Edinburgh. International striker Ali Bell scored twice while Sarah Jamieson, Linda Clement and Leigh Fawcett were also on target. However, the cancellation of yesterday’s fixture against city rivals Dundee Wanderers prevented Grove from making further strides towards the championship. Meanwhile, none of the chasing pack made up any ground as the other top-of-the-table clash between Milne Craig Western and Edinburgh University failed to take place at Titwood yesterday.