Hockey: Rob Barr refuses to give up on Grange's title hopes

Grange may have lost their place at the top of the table to Kelburne, but captain Rob Barr still retains title aspirations as his charges travel to Titwood for a potential banana-skin fixture against fourth-placed Greaves Clydesdale.

"I want to win all our remaining games as I still believe we have an outside chance of winning the league," said Barr. "However, we can't afford a single slip-up, so three points against Clydesdale is crucial."

Clydesdale's results have been indifferent of late, but last weekend's 2-1 win over Inverleith could be a turning point in their fortunes. With the chasing pack dropping valuable points in recent weeks, Grange have opened up a ten-point gap in the runners-up spot, which is a qualifier for Europe next season, but Glynhill Kelburne could take a giant leap towards their seventh consecutive title if they can dispose of an off-colour Western Wildcats at Bellahouston.

However, Harry Coles, Kelburne's manager, is very wary of a Wildcats' pack that are out of sorts. "Despite their poorish results last weekend, we still view Western as the most important and difficult game thus far this season," he said.

If Inverleith are to maintain their progress up the table, they must take full points from their Tayside double encounter with struggling VWS DundeeWanderers and then a rejuvenated Grove Menzieshill. Last weekend, the Edinburgh side did well to beat Western Wildcats 2-1 on Saturday, but then succumbed by the same score to Clydesdale the following day to end their five-match winning sequence.

Menzieshill have the chance to leapfrog into third spot if they can see off bottom side Aberdeen Asset Management and then Inverleith in their catch-up double header.

Edinburgh University have the chance to edge closer to survival by taking three points from AMN Hillhead and coming within a couple of points of third-bottom Wanderers. Last time out the two sides shared six goals, so this Sunday is likely to be another close encounter.

Only a dramatic loss of form can really prevent Grove Menzieshill collecting their fifth consecutive women's championship. They have a perfect record and take on bottom side Hillhead who have yet to win a game. Giffnock are in line for the runners-up spot and the other European place, and a win against Grange would extend their unbeaten run to nine games. Milne Craig Western are in third place, nine points behind Giffnock and have a tricky encounter with CALA in Edinburgh. In the relegation zone, Hillhead look somewhat detached, but Western Wildcats and Edinburgh University meet to avoid the play-off spot.