GM have huge chance to cut gap at the top

SPORTS

GROVE Menzieshill men’s hockey team are still the nearest cha llengers to Grange at the top of the Premiership — and the pair meet i n Ed i nbu rg h on Saturday.

Grange hold a four-point advantage with a game more played.

GM will be disappointed to have let a three-goal lead against Edinburgh University slip with the match ending 4-4.

Keir Robb and Luke Cranney gave Menzieshill a two-goal lead in the first quarter and Albert Rowling added a third from an excellent flick from the top of the circle in the second quarter.

However, Edinburgh responded with their first goal almost immediately then narrowed the gap to 3-2.

The visitors tied the score at 3-3 and, before the end of the third quarter, took the lead, the last three goals coming from slack defensive play by Menzieshill, although Edinburgh’s all-round tenacity merited that lead.

Menzieshill got their act together in the latter stages and snatched an equaliser through Cyrille Varghese.

There are sufficient skilful players i n the Menzieshill ranks but their indecision i n throwing away a three-goal l ead against Edinburgh University must change, starting away to Grange.

Grange also dropped two points in their 2-2 draw against Western Wildcats.

Dundee Wanderers will be disappointed to come away from Hillhead with just a point having scored four goals.

Wanderers l ed 2-0 at half-time with a goal apiece from Elliott Sandison and Lewis Pyke but were pegged back to 2-2.

Hillhead then took the lead but Robbie Alexander equalised.

The Glasgow side scored again and looked set to take all three points until Bobby Ralph’s equaliser gave Wanderers a point.

They now trail Hillhead and Watsonians by four points with Kelburne only one point further ahead.

Inverleith and Dunfermline Carnegie still lead the way in Division Two with maximum points from seven games. It seems unlikely that any team can challenge these two.

Perthshire moved up to fourth with a 7-4 win over Stepps. Stephen Dick (4), Michael Robertson (2) and Neil Robertson scored.

Perthshire will expect to maintain their high scoring form away to Glasgow University but they must improve defensively.

St Andrews University drew 2-2 against Erskine Stewart’s-Melville. A win over Stepps would keep St Andrews well clear of the bottom four.

Monarchs lead Division Three after beating Granite City Wanderers by the odd goal in seven. All they can do is keep winning and hope Strathclyde University slip up.

Monarchs will surely pick up three points against Harris while Strathclyde might just slip up against Highland.

Strathclyde University are in hot pursuit after their 13-1 win over Harris. They are three points behind Monarchs with three games in hand.

Menzieshill II are deep in the relegation zone i n Central Division One. Their latest result was a 6-0 loss against Clydesdale II.