Men’s hockey – Fraser a key man as Grange go for gold

Cammy Fraser back on the international scene, this time with Grange. Picture by Nigel Duncan Media

Experienced international Cammy Fraser will be key as Grange go in search of gold in Vienna.

The double winners have already annexed the Division One title and the Scottish Cup.

And Commonwealth Games player Fraser, the club skipper, was influential despite missing part of the season when he was in the Gold Coast with Scotland.

He will have a major part to play alongside Irish-born striker Frank Ryan and Callum Milne, another of the older players in the squad.

Coach David Knipe will urge his squad to put their play-off disappointment behind them.

The Edinburgh were denied a historic domestic treble when they lost 3-1 to Dundee-based Grove Menzieshill in the domestic play-offs in Glasgow.

But the newly-crowned Scottish Cup and Division One champions have already had a great season.

And they are in Pool A of the EuroHockey Club Trophy in Vienna in Austria.

Grange play Belarus sides SC Stroitel Brest in their opening game on Friday and follow-up against Polish cracks KS AZS AWF Poznan on Saturday and complete their pool against HC Minsk from Belarus on Sunday.

Eastern European sides are traditionally physical and difficult to break down.
And Knipe will order his men to keep their cool if they want to challenge for promotion and the gold medal in this tournament.