Field hockey – Ryan treble sparks Grange

Frank Ryan netted a treble as Edinburgh-based Grange opened up a six point lead over Bromac Kelburne at the top of Division One outdoors.

They coasted to a 6-2 win at Dundee Wanderers 6-2 on Tayside in the opening game after the winter shutdown.

The home side opened the scoring with an early strike by Fergus Sandison but that sparked Grange.

Frank Ryan and Cameron Fraser fired the Edinburgh side into a 2-1 lead only six minutes later.

Luke Cranney netted a third from a close range deflection and Commonwealth Games-bound Fraser scored his second.

Ryan`s direct drag flick at a penalty corner put the league leaders into a 5-1 lead at the break.

Grange continued to dominate but failed to add to their score until Ryan diverted a cross from the left into the net for his own hat-trick with ten minutes remaining.

Bobby Ralph converted a late penalty corner for Wanderers but it was only a consolation.

In South America, Edinburgh-born Amy Costello, formerly of Inverleith Hockey Club, started for Great Britain who suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in the final match of their Test series against Argentina in Rosario.

Glasgow-born Nikki Cochrane was a substitute along with Sarah Robertson from the Borders. Both are former Edinburgh University players.

Eugenia Trinchinetti netted the only goal of the game in the tenth minute which turned out to be the winner as the hosts secured a 4-1 series win.