Men’s hockey – Coultas keeps nerve as Grange stay six clear

Division One (men): Watsonians 2, Edinburgh University 3; Western Wildcats 1, Grange 1; Aberdeen Standard Gordonians 0, Hillhead 2; Uddingston 3, Grove Menzieshill 3, Clydesdale 4, Kelburne 3.

Former Great Britain and Scotland international Dan Coultas earned champions Grange a valuable point at second-placed Western Wildcats.

The English-born set-piece expert converted a penalty stroke after a Grange player was challenged heavily in front of goal.

His strike levelled a hard-fought encounter, with both sides playing good hockey, in which chances were at a premium.

Western started well and were rewarded when Scottish international forward Rob Harwood netted in the first two minutes.

Grange, who edged the first meeting this season 3-2 at Fettes College and are the long-time leaders in the ten-strong division, dug in and started the second-half well.

Coultas scored and Grange pressed the home side hard in search of a second, but Western responded late-on with a series of four penalty corner opportunities in the dying minutes of the game but they failed to capitalise.

Edinburgh University edged Watsonians 3-2 and Edinburgh-based coach Neil Allan praised his injury-ravaged Grove Menzieshill squad for their 3-3 draw at Uddingston. Dundee-based Grove remain third in the table.