Hockey – Grange seek revenge

Newly-crowned Division One champions Grange seek Grand Final revenge over Grove Menzieshill after suffering heartache 12 months ago.

Then, the Tayside team won 3-1 despite Irish striker Frank Ryan putting the Edinburgh side ahead.

A double from Olly James and single from Cameron Golden ended the contest.

Now, Grange seek a glory treble having also reached the semi-final of the Scottish Cup.

And the Edinburgh club have been the most consistent side this season, winning 17 matches before losing their final league clash at Grove Menzieshill, a single goal ending Grange’s bid to finish the season unbeaten.

They still won the title by seven points from Grove who they beat 7-3 in the other league clash, this time in Edinburgh.

Grove actually moved into a three goal lead in the first half but were then hit by a seven-goal blitz.

Scotland striker Cameron Golden returns after a lengthy lay-off with a foot injury.

His comeback is at the right time as their Edinburgh-based coach Neil Allan is looking for a major boost ahead of their clash with Amsterdam in the EuroHockey League.

There is a big prize of Europe for either Clydesdale Western or Western Wildcats in the women’s Grand Final.

Kaz Cuthbert, Western’s player/coach, said this was a historic moment for the club as they have not previously qualified for Europe.

Cuthbert remains added: “We have a full-strength squad raring to go. We are a confident, tightly-knit unit that can beat any team in Scotland.”

The Auchenhowie-based side have enjoyed a purple patch since the winter shutdown with seven victories in eight outings and only conceding five goals during that time. 

They also completed a double over newly-crowned champions Edinburgh University.

The final places in next season`s top flight are up for grabs in Saturday`s earlier games, National League 2`s Erskine Stewarts Melville (women) and Dunfermline Carnegie (men) have their last chance of promotion against Glasgow University and Watsonians respectively.

For Dunfermline Carnegie men it’s potentially a historic day for the club as they could be promoted to the outdoor Division One for the first time in the club’s history. 

Grand Finals 2019 Glasgow National Hockey Centre

10:00 – Women’s relegation/promotion match – Glasgow University v Erskine Stewarts Melville

12:00 – Men’s relegation/promotion match – Watsonians v Dunfermline Carnegie

14:00 – Women’s Grand Final – Clydesdale Western v Western Wildcats

16:00 – Men’s Grand Final – Grange v Grove Menzieshill