Grove prepare to raid Cats’ den

With Edinburgh University a banker to consolidate pole position in Scotland’s top league, the key scrap on tomorrow’s card takes place between Western Wildcats and Grove Menzieshill, writes our women’s hockey correspondent.

Although the Cats’ den at Auchenhowie has become something of a fortress this season, the Taysiders travel with the dual aim of springing the trap to keep their title challenge on track.

Clydesdale Western look good for fourth place or better following their clash with Hillhead while Wanderers will harbour ambitions of stamping their authority on the top half when they travel to face Watsonians.

Prospects for the local universities are not particularly bright. Both languish at the bottom of the division 2 table with Dundee travelling to meet title-chasing Merlins Gordonians, while St Andrews will have a job on their hands to repel Borders Reivers.

Perthshire face a busy weekend with Strathclyde Uni as visitors tonight, followed by Stirling Wanderers on Sunday.

League Cup matches take precedence in Midlands.

Madras are already through to the finals as winners from pool C and Grove IIIs are vying with their St Andrews counterparts to top pool A. Brechin Thistles v Blairgowrie will determine which of those qualify from pool B.

The level 1 umpiring course scheduled for ths Sunday has been postponed. Weekend fixtures include: Tomorrow, National League division 1: Western Wildcats v Grove Menzieshill (3.30 pm), Watsonians v MJV Dundee Wanderers (4 pm)

Div 2: St Andrews Uni v Fjordhus Reivers (3 pm), AS Merlins Gordonians v Dundee Uni (1.30)

Championship League 2: Perthshire v Strathclyde Uni (Kilgraston, today), St Andrews Uni II v Kinross.

Midland League Cup: Grove Menzieshill III v St Andrews Uni III

Midland div 1: Madras v Dundee University III. Div 2: St Andrews Uni IV v Dundee Uni IV.

Sunday, Championship League 2: Perthshire v Stirling Wanderers (Kilgraston).

Midland League Cup: Madras FP II v Dundee Wanderers II, Stirling Uni II v Perthshire II.

Scottish U18 Club Cup, Glasgow Green (9 am-5 pm).