And now to the group stage of the indoor championship

The eight teams now drop into two groups for the next stage of the indoor division 1 championship on the basis of their finishing positions in the league format – that is 1/4/5/8 and 2/3/6/7.

The pools are already half completed as the league results are carried forward – but only the results between the four teams in each pool. So places in the semi-finals are still up for grabs as all the pools have a similar format – that is, the top side sits on nine points, the second and third placed teams are on six and three respectively, and the bottom sides have no points…the result of there being no draws.

In the men`s Pool A Western Wildcats will target a semi-final spot, and that would be assured if they can see off both Dundee Wanderers and bottom side Uddingston on Saturday.

The Wanderers` encounter might be a more testing affair although Wildcats won the earlier meeting of the sides 5-2, convincing enough in the end but it was only 3-2 in the second half until Rob Harwood and Jamie Golden from the spot extended the advantage.

Wanderers have been an unfortunate victim of the split. They finished the league programme in fourth spot, a point ahead of Grange, but because the pool only carries forward the results between these four sides, Grange leapfrog the Dundonians, courtesy of their earlier 4-2 win between the teams. So Grange now sit on six points and Wanderers on only three.

And to make matters worse, if Wanderers fail to beat Wildcats in the opening session and Grange beat Uddingston as they have already done, then Wanderers would be six points adrift of a semi-final spot.

That sets up the afternoon head to head between Grange and Wanderers, crucial as Grange might only need a draw to advance.

What are the omens? Well Grange won the league encounter 4-2, Livio Belotti scoring a hat-trick, but recently Grange` s form has been a little erratic, so it`s anybody`s game.

Wildcats finish their day against an Uddingston side whose only salvation looks to be to win their later relegation play-offs.

Pool B looks a little easier to navigate, Inverleith lead with nine points with Grove Menzieshill three points adrift, and both are ahead of Clydesdale and Watsonians. They meet head to head in the opening game, the prize for the winner could be pole position in the pool and on paper an easier semi-final fixture. Inverleith won the league encounter by the slightly surprising score of 5-0, but it might be closer this time.

Later Menzieshill take on Clydesale and Inverleith play Watsonians, and both will target the three points.   If these games go to form, Inverleith and Menzieshill will hope to progress to the semi-final stages.

Earlier in the day Clydesdale and Watsonians face off, the winner could have a glimmer of the semis with the loser in relegation concern. For what it`s worth Clydesdale won the league head to head 2-1 with Ethan Robertson and Stuart Eadie on target.

In the women`s competition Clydesdale Western, with their perfect record, are in pole position with the maximum nine points.   On Sunday they face Inverleith and Hillhead with the prospect of another six points and top spot.

At the moment Inverleith are in second spot on six points but could struggle to increase that tally in their opening encounter with Clydesdale considering they went down 6-2 in the league encounter.   More concerning is that third placed Dundee Wanderers could also make the six point mark if they dispose of bottom side Hillhead in their first match – that would see both sides on the six point mark

And then the two sides meet head to head in the afternoon with the winner making a significant stride towards the semis. They met last weekend – Wanderers went into a two goal lead, then Inverleith hit them with a four goal blitz, and finally emerged 5-4 winners, Bopi Monte getting a hat-trick.

Unless there is a miracle, Hillhead will enter the relegation play-off.

Pool B is also fairly clear. Watsonians and Wildcats look set to make the semi-finals, but in what order? The Edinburgh side are presently three points ahead and will top the pool if they overcome the Cats in the opening fixture.  Watsonians won the league fixture 4-1 on the opening day but since then the Cats gradually progressed up the league table to finish a clear third.

In their second outings of the day Watsonians and Wildcats take on Grange and GHK respectively, and on current form should collect the three points.  That should leave Grange and GHK to fight it out to avoid bottom spot.   Currently GHK have a three point advantage but that would be wiped out with a Grange victory.  However, GHK did win the first fixture 7-2, Joanne Boyle getting a hat-trick and Emma Tennant a couple. But both sides have struggled recently, so who knows?

However, a GHK victory would see Grange favourites for the relegation play-offs.

 

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top