Champions under Pressure?

9th December 2021

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Scotland`s indoor champions of two years ago may have to work hard to retain their titles if the first round of match results is anything to go by – although there is a long way still to go in the competition.

In the men`s league, Inverleith have already dropped three points, and unbeaten Western and Grove Menzieshill have taken early advantage… and Dundee Wanderers are also lurking close by. Clydesdale Western may have started their defence with two victories, but it looks as if Watsonians are going to push them all the way in the women`s competition.

What a way to start the second session in the men`s division 1 at the Bell`s Sports Centre in Perth this weekend- the Tayside derby between Grove Menzieshill and Dundee Wanderers! So often in the past this confrontation was full of guts and passion which often spilled over into tension, some feisty encounters, and the occasional sin bin visit. And yet there was always a high standard of indoor hockey expertise on view. It would not surprise me if we saw some of this again at 09.15 on Saturday morning.

Recently, Inverleith and Western have come along to challenge the erstwhile Tayside monopoly, and that has augmented the competitive nature of the league – and that`s all to the good!

Menzieshill certainly belied their outdoor woes with a couple of stirring performances in Perth last weekend, it started with a 4-3 win over champions Inverleith and followed up by seeing off Uddingston 6-3.

And there were some names from the past in the ranks, no more so than the return of coach Bruce Cuthill, one of the stalwarts of Grove Menzieshill`s golden years – he certainly knows his indoor hockey. In their heyday, Grove Menzieshill won 19 Scottish indoor titles between 1985 and 2013, and Cuthill was a key figure in all of this.

In the playing ranks last weekend there also emerged the likes of Ross McPherson, Ollie James and Ben Cromar whose two penalty corner conversions sunk Inverleith.

However, Wanderers also showed some form last weekend with back-to-back wins over Grange and Kelburne, with captain Callum Ross notching hat-tricks in both outings. Although they did come a cropper on their final match, losing 9-3 to Western.

The `Hill have three assignments this weekend, after Wanderers they take on Grange and finally Watsonians. Nine points would put them alongside Western at the top of the table.

It was Western who caught the eye last weekend with a hat-trick of victories, but more worrying for the opposition they scored 24 goals in the process and the usual suspects Andy McConnell, Rob Harwood and Fraser Moran were in fine finishing form. That does not auger well for Saturday`s opponents Watsonians and Uddingston whose defences could creak under the strain.

So, what of the Edinburgh challenge? Inverleith’s coach Stuart Neave believed that his side could, and should, have done better in their first outing against Grove Menzieshill – not taking their chances was the biggest sin. If the champions hope to kick-start their title challenge, then six points against Grange and Wanderers is essential – the latter might present another Tayside teaser.

Grange had talented hockey players on view last weekend but lacked depth to the squad with only seven players…and perhaps paid the price with defeats at the hands of Wanderers and Western. They have three outings this Saturday, Edinburgh rivals Inverleith and Grove Menzieshill – points may be difficult to come by here – and finally Kelburne.

So, what of the rest, Watsonians and Kelburne failed to pick up any points while Uddingston have three courtesy of a 4-2 win over Watsonians.

The prediction that Clydesdale Western and Watsonians could dominate the women`s division has so far proved spot on. Both sides are on six points after two games, the Edinburgh side is slightly ahead on goal difference.

Watsonians won their two games comfortably in the end last weekend, but in both they were held to 1-1 draws at the interval. They were able to pile in the goals in the second half with Emily Dark, in particular, impressive in front of goal with doubles in each game.

The league leaders have three games this weekend, opening against Grove Menzieshill, then Inverleith and finally Hillhead – you would expect nine points to be in the Watsonians bag at the end.

International striker Jen Eadie was the catalyst in Clydesdale`s victories last weekend. She scored two goals inside a minute to take the lead against Dundee Wanderers, then when all seemed to be going pear shaped in the second game against Inverleith, she banged home the winner at a penalty corner with only three minutes left.

Clydesdale had plenty of talent on show but struggled to see off the opposition – perhaps it was an outbreak of rustiness. Another two-game session for the Glasgow side on Sunday, they open against Hillhead and then take on Wildcats which might be a more demanding occasion, especially as Alex Stuart has picked up a few goals already.

Both Wildcats and Edinburgh University are sitting in the top half of the table with four points after a three-game session, both sides have talented players from their outdoor squads and are capable of causing an upset.

Grove Menzieshill are now under the coaching aegis of former Grange player Luke Cranney and have already produced some success with a 4-1 win over Inverleith. Now the new coach will try to build on that against Watsonians, perhaps a tall order, and Edinburgh University on Sunday.

Wanderers are also on three points and might augment that with Sunday`s outings against Wildcats and Inverleith.

Unfortunately, Inverleith and Hillhead are the only two sides without a point to their name, both have three games this weekend so there is a chance of breaking their duck.

Champions under Pressure?

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