Hockey: Inverleith coach eyes second title

Inverleith shattered the 16-year Tayside monopoly on the Subway indoor national league when they took the title last season for the first time in the club’s history.

Now retaining the championship is this year’s target for coach Stuart Neave.

Neave’s charges open today against Edinburgh rivals Grange, who came third in the league last season, and then tackle a Grove Menzieshill outfit that held the title for the previous seven years.

“This weekend we have games against the two teams that provided our most difficult challenges last season, so it will be an interesting opening day. I’m sure our opposition will be well prepared, so we have to ensure we are at our best from the start,” said Neave.

VWS Dundee Wanderers are looking for their third consecutive women’s title, but there seems to be a crisis in the camp. Long-term coach Iain Strachan appears to have walked out. Whether that is temporarily or permanently is not certain at this point, but the champions are actively seeking a replacement.

Dundee open against Cala Edinburgh and then newly-promoted Granite City Wanderers, and should still take six points.