Hockey: Points vital for both CALA and Inverleith

CALA Edinburgh face a crunch clash with city rivals Inverleith on Saturday as they bid to beat the drop from Division One of Scottish hockey’s indoor league.

They travel to Peffermill still aggrieved at last Saturday’s defeat at Grove Menzieshill with an under-strength team.

Neil Allan, Edinburgh’s coach, said: “We had nine regulars missing last week but we should be in a better shape for Saturday.” They are two off the bottom with 11 points from 13 games, four adrift of Clydesdale, who have played the same number of games, and three ahead of Glasgow-side Hillhead who have a game in hand.

Inverleith are battling for points at the other end of the table. They are fourth with 22 points from 11 games, five behind second-placed Grange who have played 13 fixtures. Coach Steve McCurry is determined to secure second place and eyes this weekend’s double-header against Edinburgh and Edinburgh University as pivotal. He said: “We set ourselves a target of finishing in the top three in the league. Finishing second would be great achievement.”

Elsewhere, Grange and fifth-placed Edinburgh University clash at Peffermill.