Leaders Grove expected to stay in winning groove in indoor title race

Complacency could be the main hurdle facing Grove Menzieshill as they strive to hold on to pole position in the indoor first division.

Today they complete the league part of the competition against Hillhead and Clydesdale, with a further six points the likely outcome. The Taysiders were perhaps not at their scintillating best last time out against Dundee Wanderers (5-2) and bottom side Edinburgh University (4-1), yet they remain the most complete outfit in the first division.

After a slow start four-times champions Inverleith, with their new-look squad, are beginning to find form, with 16 goals in their last two victories.

The Edinburgh side might still make second place if they can take six points from today’s outings against Clydesdale and Hillhead, but that would require Bromac Kelburne to falter.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the season has been the resurgence of Clydesdale. Used to staving off relegation, the Titwood-based outfit have climbed into the top echelons with three wins out of four.

The Glasgow side have the advantage of three games today, but they are against Kelburne, Inverleith and finally champions Menzieshill – so points may be of a premium.

Dundee Wanderers could just pip Clydesdale for fourth place, but that would almost certainly mean beating a Kelburne side that have scored 32 goals in their five games, with Johnny Christie, Josh Cairns and Chris Caldwell in top form.

The women’s championship has reached the pool stage, and unbeaten Edinburgh University continue to surprise.

The students lead their section by a point from Grove and the sides clash again in tomorrow’s opening fixture.

The other pool looks like a direct contest between champions Dundee Wanderers and Milne Craig Clydesdale Western, who need to win the headto-head to challenge for top spot.