Hockey: So close for Grassick and Inverleith

CHRIS GRASSICK couldn’t hide his disappointment as Inverleith lost 5-3 to Caledonian Cougars in last night’s final of the Grove Menzieshill Invitational Indoor hockey tournament in Dundee.

The Surbiton star had scored in every one of Scotland’s five games over the three-day event.

But even his considerable skill could not halt Caledonian Cougars who won the tournament with a 5-3 scoreline.

Grange midfielder Gary Cameron finally closed the door on Inverleith, Scotland’s domestic champions, and he is one of the hopefuls looking for selection for the EuroHockey Indoor Championship 11 in Ligano, Italy, from January 13-15.

The decision on the travelling 12 will be made over the New Year weekend and in the tournament Scotland face the hosts, Sweden and Ukraine in their qualifying pool.

Yesterday, Scotland bosses bolstered the Cougars team with several key players, including Cameron, but Inverleith held them at 2-2 at the break.

Cougars edged ahead at 4-3 and as the Edinburgh side pushed for a leveller Cameron struck to hand victory to Cougars who beat the Edinburgh side 6-5 in the tournament qualifiers on Thursday night, after holding a 4-0 lead.

Grassick netted a double for Inverleith with Stephen Dick scoring a single and the 21-year-old former Balerno High School pupil said: “It was a disappointment not to win the final, but this tournament was great for us as we prepare for Europe.”

Inverleith represent Scotland at the EuroHockey Indoor Championship, B Division, in Edinburgh’s Napier University from February 17-19.

Grassick added: “Five games in three days is a tournament schedule and we’ll all benefit from that. We’ve got people to come back in who were not available for this event.”