Scottish Cup centre stage

The focus switches briefly to the Scottish Cup tomorrow, with the quarter-finals of the main competition and the semi-finals of

the others, writes our men’s hockey correspondent.

St Andrews University and Grove Menzieshill are the only local teams left in the Scottish Cup.

Menzieshill in particular have a great chance of progressing against second division Inverleith.

St Andrews, however well they are playing in division 2, have the toughest task, away to league leaders Kelburne.

In the District Cup, Menzieshill II should approach their semi-final against Granite CityWanderers II at Glasgow National Hockey Centre with a degree of confidence.

MJV Dundee Wanderers III will also be at GNHC for the semi-final of the Reserve Cup, against Grange V. Grange have a habit of being able to field experienced teams at this level.

Menzieshill are on league duty on Sunday in a top of the table clash with Kelburne at 4pm at Dundee International Sports Centre, with both on 31 points.

MJV Dundee Wanderers have two games in hand over Uddingston at the foot of division 1 and have home advantage tomorrow against Western Wildcats in one of these games.

Wanderers are away to Grange on Sunday with less prospect of picking up points. Uddingston, at home to Clydesdale, may be more hopeful of collecting a point.

Harris and Carnegie are similarly placed in the middle of division 2 and, on the face of it, a point apiece might serve both teams well enough.

But the gap between Harris and second from bottom Perthshire is only six points with six games remaining, so all three points would be a real bonus for either club.

Perthshire have a difficult task away to Granite City Wanderers.

Dundee University can enhance their promotion drive when they face the bottom club in division 3, Stirling University, on Sunday.

Monarchs began the season well but have since dropped significantly. They are only three points behind the Edinburgh club, so a good win would see Monarchs comfortably in mid-table.

Meanwhile, although Menzieshill II lead the way in Midland Div 1, Wanderers II are only six points behind with two games in hand.

With Menzieshill II on cup duty tomorrow, Wanderers II can narrow the gap if they overcome St Andrews University II.

The FIH have announced an amendment to the rule Attacking Free Hits within the 23. Scottish Hockey will adopt this rule as of March 1 to allow clubs and umpires to adjust to the change. Midland Hockey will follow suit. Basically, for free hits within the ‘23’ and for long corners the ball cannot be played into the circle until it has travelled at least five metres or been touched by a defending player.