David Knipe will expect a 100 per cent from his men in their final league match in the first-half of the season. Picture Nigel Duncan Media

Grange coach David Knipe does not want to slip on a banana skin in his quest to finish the first half of the outdoor field hockey season unbeaten.

Eight places and 17 points separate Grange from Kelburne in the ten-strong Division One table.

The Edinburgh side are the pace-setters having won eight and drawn two of their ten games so far.

Kelburne, who were edged by Grange for the league title last season, are ninth having won three and lost seven of their ten fixtures.

Grange have scored 41 goals, the second highest total in the ten-strong league, and let in a miserly 12. Kelburne have scored 28 and conceded 31.

And champions Grange can’t afford to slip-up as second-placed Western Wildcats have 25 points from 11 games and Dundee-based Grove Menzieshill are third with 24 points from their 11 starts.

This is the only game in the men’s fixture card and the final fixture before the winter shutdown.

Grange travel to Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre for the clash and there is no word from the team management about injuries or unavailability.

Ed Irvine, the club’s team manager, said: “There is not too much to say at the moment on players. Kelburne results do not necessarily reflect their play in games.

“They have some very experienced players (and coach) and a few of their games have been decided by one goal.

“The match will be both testing and competitive as both clubs look to finish the first part of the outdoor season with a win and the three points.”

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