Wildcats win keeps Grove off top spot

Grange are still top of the first division after Western Wildcats frustrated Grove Menzieshill’s challenge with a 2-1 win at Auchenhowie yesterday.

The Taysiders looked on course to take over at the top when Euan Cuthill scored after the Wildcats’ defence failed to clear the danger. By the interval, Wildcats had clawed their way back into the contest with a low strike from Andrew Mcconnell.

Four minutes into the second half, Hamish Galt put the home side ahead with a penalty corner that flew into the top corner. Both sides then struck the bar but there was no further scoring.

It was mixed fortunes for the sides on Saturday, with Menzieshill putting 21 goals past a luckless Gordonians to advance their goal difference.

Scotland striker Cameron Golden scored a double hat-trick and there were three goals each for Cyril Varghese, Paul Martin and Jamie Golden.

In contrast, Wildcats were fortunate to survive a 1-1 draw with Clydesdale at Auchenhowie. Wildcats donated their visitors the opening goal in three minutes. David Bond passed the ball directly to Struan Walker and the Clydesdale striker promptly fired the ball home.

Perhaps against the run of play, Fraser Calder levelled for Wildcats just on the interval. There was no further scoring, although Clydesdale’s Andrew Allan missed from the spot.

Scotland defender Amy Costello scored her first goal in Great Britain colours to secure a 2-1 over Japan and finish in fifth place at the FIH Champions Trophy in China.

Yui Ishibashi opened for Japan, Hanna Martin equalised before Costello scored the winner when she smashed home a penalty corner.