Hockey: Re-shuffled Inverleith plunder 17 goals without reply

STUART Neave re-shuffled his line-up and defending champions Inverleith plundered 17 goals to keep in touch with early pace-setters Grove Menzieshill in the chase for the Scottish indoor hockey title.

Scottish outdoor internationalist Adam Mackenzie scored four goals as the Edinburgh side thrashed Glasgow-based Western 10-0. And Edinburgh-born Chris Grassick, who plays outdoor for English Premier League side Surbiton, netted a double as did his Scottish internationalist outdoor colleague Derek Salmond in the 7-0 victory over CALA Edinburgh.

Coach Neave said: “It was a very professional performance against Western but CALA were stubborn.”

Grove Menzieshill edged Scottish outdoor champions Kelburne, 7-6 but were always in control of the Glasgow team at Perth.

Grove started the day by beating arch Dundee rivals Dundee Wanderers 3-1 and, in their third outing, edged Grange, coached by former Grove player, David Knipe, 4-2, with Josh Cairns netting three great goals.

However, coach Bruce Cuthil warned rivals: “We’re still a work in progress and we’re not playing as I would like us to do, but we’ve won our first five games and we’ve not played at our best.”