Hockey: Reid laments defending following 5-0 drubbing

The under-strength Edinburgh side were 2-0 down at the break and let in three goals during a torrid second half to a free-scoring Bellahouston-based saide who have won the league and cup double by winning every game.

Cruelly, two of Kelburne's strikes were own goals but they came as a result of intense pressure and Reid admitted: "The game didn't go our way and it shows why Kelburne have just gone an entire season unbeaten. They play very consistently to a high level. We were only able to play well in spells.

"We shot ourselves in the foot with a lot of little mistakes. Our reactions to key moments were poor."

Experienced defender Mark Ralph bagged two goals as Kelburne completed the season with a 100 per cent record.

The Paisley-born player said: "All the effort we've put in this year has been worth it."

Inverleith, who lost 4-0 to Grange in last season's final, were outclassed.

Ross Stott netted Kelburne's other strike but Inverleith were unable to knock Kelburne out of their stride despite fielding Olympian Stephen Dick.

The result was no surprise as Kelburne won the Division One title with an unblemished 14-game record, scoring 104 goals and conceding 13.

Inverleith finished fourth having won only six of their 14 starts, scoring 41 goals and losing 39.

The champions enjoyed the best of starts when Scottish international Derek Salmond deflected a Kenny Bain cross ball into his net after seven minutes.

Stott fired home the second seven minutes later. Inverleith lacked any spark and Adam Mackenzie deflected an Allan Forsyth cross into his own net 20 minutes into the second half. Seconds later, Ralph slotted a penalty flick low to the impressive Inverleith goalkeeper Barnaby Barber's right to make it 4-0 after the ball struck defender Richard Docherty's leg.

And 30-year-old Ralph made it 5-0 when he netted following Kelburne's third penalty corner award, smashing the ball high into the net.

Grove edged arch rivals Western 2-1 in the women's final, and their elated, Edinburgh-based captain Linda Clement, who scored the winner two minutes into the second half, now eyes a Scottish Cup and Division One double.

Grove are second in the table with 27 points after nine games, six behind pace-setting Western who have played 11 fixtures, but confident Clement said: "One down, one to go."

Linda Baxter and Clement netted to hand the Dundee side a 2-0 lead after 37 minutes. Susan McGilveray pulled one back seven minutes later but Grove kept their cool to take the title.

Edinburgh at least celebrated one victory. CALA Edinburgh Ladies A stormed to a 5-0 win over St Andrews University in the Scottish Plate.