Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
ROUND-UP Wanderers are only team with 100% record
MJV Dundee Wanderers men’s indoor hockey squad has completed the first stage of its quest to return to National League Division One.
They had t wo wins on Saturday at DISC to stay top of the Division Two table with a 100% record.
This is a major confidence boost. They are the only team in the three divisions with that record.
Now success is required in the stage two play-off games against teams placed fourth (Menzieshill II), eighth (Perthshire) and fifth (Falkirk) followed by a play-off game against a Pool Two team.
If successful, the final is the ultimate target at the end of February.
Wanderers had a close game against Watsonians and won 9-8 with Bobby Ralph netting his fourth and winning goal.
They then had a 10-2 win over Edinburgh University to complete phase one. That included hat-tricks by Sean Dowie and Fergus Sandison with Ralph (2), Ross Glashan and Callum Ross completing the job.
Menzieshill II had a 6-3 win over Carnegie then lost 7-5 to second-placed Watsonians, who share the 12-point mark with Edinburgh University and Grove-Menzieshill.
Perthshire had a hard and unlucky day, losing to Edinburgh University, Falkirk and Carnegie.
In Division One, the top three are Kelburne (13 points), Inverleith (12) and Menzieahill I (10). This could change in their last session in January.
Menzieshill had wins over Hillhead by 8-4 and Clydesdale by 10-0 while, for Kelburne, it was Clydesdale (9-4) and Western (12-2). Inverleith beat Clydesdale 9-0 and Hillhead 9-1. Grange are a point behind after wins over Western (10-5) and Uddingston (3-1).
In Division Three, Wanderers II slipped up, losing 3-2 to Monarchs then drawing 7-7 against Inverleith II, who had an 8-3 win over Harris I. That takes Inverleith top on goal difference. Harris also lost 12-4 to Kelburne II while Monarchs, a bit late in finding form, drew 4-4 against AGSFP and beat Stepps 10-4.
On Sunday at DISC in the Ladies Division One, an understrength Dundee Wanderers Ladies squad l ost 4-3 to Western and beat Bon Accord 7-3.
They give way in Division One to the new top team, Edinburgh University, who also beat Western Wildcats 5-0 and Grove 4-3. Grove hold on to third place with a 5-1 win over Western Wildcats.
In Division Two, scores included Grove II 0 Kelburne II 2, Grove II 1 Aberdeen Ladies 3 and Grove II 2 Watsonians I 9. Wanderers II had a 6-2 win over Aberdeen Ladies and sit in mid-table.
Perthshire Ladies had a 3-1 win over Stirling Wanderers but lost 3-1 to CALA II in Division Three.
All clubs involved in the National Indoor and Outdoor Leagues and Outdoor Cup and Plate events should note that ‘score reporting arrangements’ changes will operate from January 1. It’s hoped the revised arrangements will improve the system, which has never worked properly, due to faults on both sides.
In the Midland men’s indoor programme Division Two, it was Perthshire I 7 Wanderers IV 1,Menzieshill IV 2 Harris II 1 and Menzieshill III 2 Wanderers III 2. In Division One it was Wanderers I 10 Menzieshill II 2, Harris I 3 Inverleith 5 and Monarchs I 2 Wanderers II 4.
In Division Two, there are three games this Thursday, Perthshire I v Menzieshill III, Monarchs II v Wanderers IV and Perthshire I v Harris II. The Perth team top the division by two points over Menzieshill III, so an interesting game is in prospect.