Indoor hockey – Inverleith have to be at their best

Stephen Dick, a former Olympian (far left, red shirt) playing outdoors for Edinburgh University but a key man for Inverleith in Saturday’s indoor final at Perth

INVERLEITH face arch rivals Grove Menzieshill in the Division One final of Scotland’s indoor hockey league.

Experts predict a close game at Bell’s Sports Centre, Perth, on Saturday with the Edinburgh-based holders determined to hold onto the coveted trophy.

The club’s Fife-based coach, Stuart Neave, was pleased to earn a berth in the final two after an awkward semi-final against Edinburgh rivals Grange last weekend.

Grove also came through against free-scoring Bromac Kelburne, the outdoor champions, who have made a real impact in this season’s competition.

Neave said it would be naive to base anything from previous results when you head into a final.

He said: “It is all about the performance on the day.”

The game (push back 6pm) is the highlight of Saturday’s Gala Day when entry is free.

Bromac Kelburne are also in action in the third and fourth place play-off against Edinburgh side Grange at 15.00.

However, it is the men’s grand final which is centre stage and Neave said: “In general, our performances have been improving since the Christmas break and we will need to be at our best on Saturday.

“We will have a full squad of 12 players, as we have done throughout the second-half of the season.”

And the coach added: “Winning a title is important, whether for the first time or the fifth. We are just pleased to have the opportunity to compete.”

SCHEDULE:
9:05: men: Regional A1 v Regional B1, Hillhead 2s v Grove Menzieshill 3s;

10:00: women: National 1 7th v National 2 2nd
Inverleith v Hillhead; 11:00: men: Loser (A1 v B2) v Loser (A2 v B1) Watsonians v Edinburgh University;

12:00: men: winner (A1 v B2) v Winner (A2 v B1), Grove Menzieshill 2s v MJV Dundee Wanderers; 13:00: women: Loser (A1 v B2) v Loser (A2 v B1), Edinburgh University v MC Clydesdale Western;

14:00: men: National 2 7th v National 3 2nd, Perthshire v Inverleith 2s;

15:00: men: (A1 v B2) v Loser (A2 v B1), Bromac Kelburne v Grange;

16:00: men: National 1 7th v National 2 3rd, Western Wildcats v winner of Match 3;

17:00: women: National 1, Grand Final, Grove Menzieshill v MJV Dundee Wanderers;

18:00: men: National 1, Grand Final, Grove Menzieshill v Inverleith