The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Bell’s hosts indoor openers
The first division of the National Indoor League starts tomorrow at Bell’s Sports Centre, Perth, with a handful of crucial matches, writes our men’s hockey correspondent.
Grove Menzieshill are involved in three – the last match of the day against their main rivals for several years, Inverleith, and earlier against Grange and Kelburne.
Menzieshill have not been at their best consistently outdoor but they have no peers capable of mastering their indoor techniques honed over many years.
Dundee Wanderers can normally punch above their outdoor form when they move indoor, but that failed them a couple of years ago and they had to regain their place at the top level, which they did with some assurance.
Their indoor pedigree should see them through against Edinburgh University and Clydesdale and, if so, at least a secure mid-table place beckons.
Menzieshill II began, as expected, in division 2 with three convincing wins and will expect to make that five after the session at DISC.
Wanderers II began with a win and a defeat but, on the basis of last week’s results, there could be little to separate Wanderers from Western Wildcats and Inverleith II.
The most intriguing fixture will be the last at 4.35pm between the two Dundee teams. For Wanderers II it will be their third match of the day while Menzieshill II will be playing their second.
A surfeit of local derbies in division 3 is guaranteed with four of the eight teams from Midland. On the strength of the first week there may be little to choose between the four with Kelburne II racing ahead with three victories.
Perthshire have to transform their excellent outdoor form to the indoor game and they may well accomplish that.
Harris have to maintain their progress from poor outdoor form, which they did last week.
Menzieshill III might well end up a good mid-table team and Monarchs might also be there having drawn with Menzieshill II and lost narrowly to Kelburne II. So there could well be an intriguing set of matches at Bell’s Coaching Hall.