GM recover in big style after losing opener

SPORTS

HAVING lost the first game of this season’s league part of the indoor programme to Western Wildcats, Grove Menziesh ill hockey men went on to win the next six games by substantial margins, including the three played on Saturday.

First on the receiving end were Grange, who conceded five in each half with only two late secondhalf goals in response.

Cammy Golden was Menzieshill’s top scorer with four followed by Gavin Tomlinson with three and Ross McPherson with two.

Next up was the game against Inverleith, Scotland’s representatives in the EuroHockey Indoor Challenge 1 in Oslo from February 8-10.

Inverleith had a 100% record from their first five games.

Jamie Golden’s opener from a penalty corner deflected off the foot of a defender into the net and was equalised by Patrick Christie’s penalty corner.

Just as the teams were about to turn round level, a Tomlinson shot just crossed the line.

The intensity increased dramatically in the third quarter with four yellow cards and one green card being issued.

Menzieshill emerged the stronger and netted five goals without reply in the last 10 minutes, Cammy Golden netting twice and Gavin Tomlinson adding his second.

Inverleith lost their last game 6-3 to Western Wildcats.

Menzieshill and Dundee Wanderers contested the final game, Tomlinson cancelling Elliot Sandison’s opener.

Menzieshill netted three times i n the last t wo minutes of the first half to turn it in their favour.

’Hill had the majority of possession in the second period and added five more without reply for a 9-1 win. Cammy and Jamie Golden were again main strikers with two apiece.

Wanderers led Clydesdale 2-1 with Sean Dowie and Bobby Ralph goals. However, they could not maintain that. Clydesdale established a 3-2 lead but a last-minute Elliot Sandison leveller saw Wanderers take a point.

Kelburne took a 2-0 lead over Wanderers who tied the score at 2-2 through Sandison and Dowie.

Sandison then gave Wanderers the lead only for Kelburne to equalise.

Dowie restored Wanderers’ lead but Kelburne drew level at 4-4.

Menzieshill enter the split pool phase along with Grange, Clydesdale and Kelburne.

Pool B contains Western Wildcats and I nverleith along with Wanderers and Carnegie, although this has the be confirmed by Scottish Hockey. These matches begin on Saturday.

In the women’s, Dundee Wanderers confirmed their semis place with wins in both pool matches.

Ruth Blaikie and Vikki Bunce (2) established a 3-0 lead which was reduced to 3-1. Millie Skidmore got No 4 in the second half

Bunce was again on target in the second match with four goals against Grange. Heather Elder’s hat-trick played a major part in seeing Wanderers to a 10-0 win.

Grove had a difficult task against Clydesdale in their opener. A goal apiece from Pauline Stott and Corinne Hay was not sufficient against six by Clydesdale.

Grove confirmed their semis place with a 3-1 win over CALA Edinburgh but they now have a difficult task against Wanderers.

Jaime Lyon and Hay helped Grove to a 2-0 halftime lead. The third goal by Ellie Stott confirmed success.