Hockey: Western seize pole position from Grove

TWO goals from international striker Sam Judge and a set piece strike by Catriona Forrest gave Milne Craig Western a 3-2 win over their title rivals Grove in the race for the Subway national league. This result puts Western back in pole position with a three point lead over the Taysiders ahead of the final game between the rivals on Wednesday evening.

Western took the lead in seven minutes, Judge firing a low volley home from a narrow angle.

Grove had the perfect start to the second half, Ailsa Robertson netting the equaliser after only 23 seconds. But Judge restored Western's lead when diverting home a cut-back from the right by Ali Howie.

Western extended their lead when Catriona Forrest scored from a penalty corner, and Nikki Kidd scored a consolation for the Taysiders in overtime.

On Saturday Grove demolished CALA Edinburgh 12-2. Two goals from Daniele Johnson and Linda Clement in the opening minutes gave the Taysiders the best of starts before Suzanne Laing pulled one back for CALA. Thereafter the flood gates opened – Ailsa Robertson bagged five, Johnson and Clement each scored another while Ali Bell, Louise Baxter and Nikki Kidd also pitched in with strikes. Joll McGarvay managed a consolation for CALA.