Surprise defeat for GM girls

GROVE Menzieshill women’s hockey team lost further ground in the race to be in the top four of the play-offs when they lost 3-2 to Hillhead.

The Glasgow side are destined to be in the relegation play-offs.

Clydesdale Western emphasised their second place finish with a 5-1 win over Dundee Wanderers, Stephanie Murray scoring Wanderers’ only goal.

That leaves Wanderers in sixth place but still clear of the relegation play-offs.

Edinburgh University slipped up against Clydesdale Western but their 3-1 win over Western Wildcats ensured they retain the First Division title and enter the post league play-offs in two weeks’ time in prime spot.

Grove needed a win over GHK to retain third and a play-off against Clydesdale Western on May 12.

First-half goals by Katie Robertson (2) and Lucy Smith against GHK had them in control.

The fourth goal by Lucy Smith, a deflection, in a more even second half came as Grove applied more pressure.

Vicky Carver (2) and Sally Montford scored for Kinross in their 3-3 draw against Perthshire.

Vicky Carver and Claire Brownbridge scored in the Kinross 2-0 win over Grange II.

Perthshire had a 4-0 win over Monarchs in the Midland League.

Two goals from Rachael Stewart and one each for Kelly Smart and Rosie Morris earned the points.

Grove are the only local team to make it through to the cup finals on Sunday.

They will play league champions Edinburgh University at 4pm at Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

This will be a real test of how they have emerged from a difficult period without some international players during and after the Commonwealth Games.

Holders Edinburgh will start favourites and the two might just meet again on May 3 should they both win their play-off semi-finals on May 12.

Midland Cup finals are at a later time than usual.

The knockout finals will be on Saturday at DISC, the cup final between Madras and Wanderers II is at 2.30pm preceded by the Plate Final between Brechin and St Andrews University IV at 1pm.