Inverleith out to retain title as championships return to action

SCOTLAND’S indoor championships were last completed in February 2020, and much may have changed since then, but holders Inverleith are starting the course to retain their title by taking on Grove Menzieshill and newly promoted Watsonians in today’s opening fixtures.

The Menzieshill match is a repeat of the last final which Inverleith won by the odd goal in seven, but since then there has been a dramatic slump in the form of the Taysiders in the outdoor Premiership, so there is speculation that this may transfer to their indoor fortunes.

However, Inverleith coach Stuart Neave is wary: “I think it would be unwise to underestimate the challenge of Grove Menzieshill indoors.

“On paper, with the players they have available, the likes of Western and Grange should be challenging. The indoor league has the potential to be a close affair this season, but only time will tell.”

Both Western and Grange confirmed that most of their outdoor players should be playing in the indoor competition, and it is interesting that they play head to head in their second game of the day.

Earlier Western take on Kelburne while Dundee Wanderers will be Grange’s first opponents.

In the women’s competition holders Clydesdale Western open against Dundee Wanderers in a repeat of the last final, but it may be that it is Watsonians that provide the real challenge this season.

Keith Smith, Watsonians coach, set out his stall.

“We’ve made the euro playoffs for the past couple of seasons but lost out in the semifinal each time, so the aim this year is to try and improve on that.”

The Edinburgh side start their campaign against Edinburgh University and Wildcats.