Hockey: Kelburne's chance to knock Grange off top spot

Grange's hold on pole position in the Subway National League looks like coming to an end if Glynhill Kelburne win their double-header fixtures against Aberdeen Asset Management and Edinburgh University this weekend. At the moment Grange have a single-point advantage but the Paisley side have two games in hand.

Rob Barr's squad simply have to keep on winning and it would be a major shock if they did not pick up the three points off the students today. Last time out Grange cantered to a 6-1 win, Colin McIver grabbed two and the others came from Callum Milne, Rob Barr, Duncan Batchelor and Craig Harper.

Kelburne have come through their catch-up programme virtually unscathed, the only points dropped being a 2-2 draw with Grange a few weeks ago, so it is unlikely the six-time champions are going to falter against the bottom sides in the division.

But Kelburne are having to do it the hard way, according to manager Harry Coles. "This coming weekend will see no real let up in our horrendous injury list, and we are likely to be without five or six first-choice players. However, we are aware of the additional incentive that another six points would carry us back to the summit in the battle for the championship."

Inverleith have emerged out of the relegation zone with four straight wins and their recovery will be put to the test with a double-header against Grove Menzieshill and Greaves Clydesdale. But the Edinburgh students may find their survival programme put on hold as their opponents this weekend are title contenders Grange and Kelburne.

Grove Menzieshill go into the first clash with traditional rivals Milne Craig Western at Bellahouston as firm favourites as the Taysiders top the women's league with a perfect record.

Although Western had an indifferent start to the season, losing twice to Giffnock and also to VWS Dundee Wanderers, and are well behind Grove in the table, Grove captain Ailsa Wyllie is taking nothing for granted. "Western always have a strong team and you could never go into a game underestimating their strengths. Regardless of their mixed results, we will be concentrating on our game but we still expect a hard match."

Wyllie added: "So far we have had a good season, not yet dropped a point, and have been playing consistently well. We have a mix of experienced players and some youth coming through."

Western coach Neil Menzies said: "Their strength is clearly in the pace they have up front and in their finishing." Grove have scored 40 goals in their nine games so far, and the strike rate of Ali Bell with a dozen goals along with Wyllie herself and Nikki Kidd has been impressive.

After the rigours of today's confrontation, both Grove and Western should take three points from Western Wildcats and Hillhead respectively tomorrow.