Hockey: Menzieshill find life too tough in Vienna

Promotion and medals proved illusive for Grove Menzieshill after they went down 6-3 to Vinnitsa from Ukraine in the final match of the European Indoor Club Trophy in Vienna.

It was never going to be easy for theTaysiders as Vinnitsa needed to win by at least two goals to pip host side AHTC for that second promotion spot.

Vinnitsa were 3-1 ahead at the interval, Menzieshill’s only counter came from a slap shot from Chris Wilson following a through ball by Allan Law.

Law made it 3-2 with a low shot at a penalty corner but the killer blow came when the Ukraine side scored three in six minutes to knock the stuffing out of the Scots. Gavin Byers did notch a consolation for the Taysiders in the closing minutes following a return pass from Law at a set piece.

Menzieshill in fact dropped out of promotion contention when they went down 3-2 to host side AHTC – Ross Stott and Byers getting the goals. The Scots pushed for the equaliser, Michael Ross had the ball in the net but was disallowed for an infringement, but the Austrians played out time for the points.

Earlier in the day Menzieshill made the promotion pool despite only being able to draw 3-3 with bottom side AD Lousada from Portugal.

Meanwhile, in Rome, Scotland’s women drew 3-3 with Italy in the first of three warm-up games for the second round of the World League in Brazil next month.