Hockey: Unbeaten rivals will give Edinburgh derby extra edge

THE Edinburgh derby between Inverleith and Grange is always a special occasion in the Subway national league, but the fact that both teams are unbeaten and pressing for the championship gives today’s clash a fascinating edge.

Currently, Grange lead their city rivals by a point, but Inverleith have a game in hand.

Whatever the result in the Edinburgh derby, Kelburne will fancy taking full points from the confrontation with newly- promoted CALA Edinburgh. The Paisley outfit are back to their free-scoring mode with seven past Western and 12 and nine respectively against Clydesdale and Menzieshill.

Edinburgh University have made a solid start to the season under player/coach Graham Moodie, and sit in mid-table. The students have the chance to strengthen their status with two home games against Grove Menzieshill on Saturday and Wanderers the following day. Edinburgh have only lost one game, against Grange, and their fighting 3-3 draw with Western Wildcats last weekend is a sign of their continued development.

Elsewhere, Greaves Clydesdale take on Western Wildcats and AMN Hillhead face bottom side VWS Dundee Wanderers.

In the women’s league, Grove Menzieshill have their biggest challenge of the season against Tayside rivals VWS Dundee Wanderers. The five-in-a-row champions have rarely dropped points in their recent run of success, but Wanderers did achieve that last season, holding Grove to a 3-3 draw.

Wanderers’ form this season has been variable. They are second equal with Giffnock in the table, but dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Kelburne and then lost 3-2 to Milne Craig Western.

The points in the match between Giffnock and Edinburgh University could come down to the shooting expertise of respective strikers Rhona Simpson and Sam Judge. CALA Edinburgh should collect another three points against out-of-form GHK, but Grange could struggle away to Glynhill Kelburne.