Kelburne and Grove Menzieshill triumph in Grand Finals

Bromac Kelburne and Grove Menzieshill were the winners of the National Champions Trophy as the National League Grand Finals signalled the end of another exciting domestic season in the men’s and women’s top flights.

In the Division 1 Play-Offs, Hillhead and Erskine Stewart’s Melville retained their status with the men’s and women’s top ten teams at the expense of Inverleith and Grange EL.

(All photos supplied by Duncan Gray)

Men’s Grand Final

A dramatic Men’s Grand Final was won by Bromac Kelburne with a 3-2 win over Grove Menzieshill.

Consequently, the Paisley side collect a domestic treble, including National League, Scottish Cup and National Champions Trophy. They also take the top European qualification spot while Grove Menzieshill will also represent Scotland as the second Euro qualifier next season.

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Kelburne finally broke the stalemate in the 25th minute, Iain Scholefield’s pass finding Ben Peterson bearing in on goal, the striker cleverley lifting the ball past Grove Menzieshill goalkeeper Leon Hayward much to his delight.

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Shortly before half-time, some fantastic individual skill from Lee Morton baffled the Taysiders’ defence, the Scotland international finding the right corner with a low finish.

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However, the Dundonians responded strongly after the interval and Gavin Byers pulled one back for his side in the 40th minute, gliding into circle effortlessly to dispatch a shot that was deflected in off a Kelburne defender to make it 2-1.

With nine minutes to go, Grove Menzieshill were back on level terms after Paul Martin latched onto a superb through pass to bear down on goal and cooly slot the ball past Kelburne ‘keeper Ben Rennie.

Yet, a penalty corner award in the 65th minute brought the winning goal for Kelburne, Josh Cairns’ superb drag-flick flashing past Hayward into the top corner to wrap up a domestic treble and a return to Europe as Scotland’s number one team.

Women’s Grand Final

It was third time lucky for Grove Menzieshill as an Ailsa Wylie goal was enough to defeat rivals Edinburgh University and win the National Champions Trophy.

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The Taysiders broke the deadlock to make it 1-0 in the seventh minute. Sarah Jamieson’s individual brilliance down the right side conjoured up the opportunity for former Scotland international Ailsa Wylie to divert the ball past University ‘keeper Nicki Cochrane.

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And that’s how it remained, despite a second half littered with goal-mouth action, particularly for Edinburgh University.

And so it will be Grove Menzieshill who take the top European qualification spot after winning the National Champions Trophy. Edinburgh University take the second qualification spot.

Men’s Division 1 Play-Off

Hillhead retained their place in National League Division 1 after a dramatic 3-1 penalty shoot-out win over Inverleith.

The two sides finished 2-2 on aggregate following today’s 1-0 win for the Hornets and the Purple Robes’ 2-1 success in the first leg.

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Despite a goalless first half, there was plenty attacking intent from both sides, but the cutting edge wasn’t quite there.

Craig Paterson came closest to giving Hillhead the lead, his reverse stick effort narrowly whizzing past the top corner.

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Paterson was to be denied by the post early in the second half, while Callum Duke had a penalty corner attempt well saved by Inverleith ‘keeper Cameron Pitcairn shortly after.

However, the Hornets were not to be denied for much longer when Duke finished off a penalty corner set-piece in the 47th minute, putting his side 1-0 up and sending the team’s vociferous support into raptures.

In a frenzied remainder of the second half, it was end to end as both sides looked to seal that crucial goal.

But despite a number of near misses, particularly for Hillhead, the tie finished all square at 2-2 after 140 minutes, leading to a penalty shoot-out.

Hillhead goalkeeper Jamie Frail was the hero in the subsequent shoot-out, denying three Inverleith penalty attempts to keep his side in the top flight.

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Women’s Division 1 Play-Off

Erskine Stewart’s Melville FP survived a scare against Grange EL to retain their place in National League Division 1.

The Edinburgh side lost 3-2 to their city rivals in today’s second leg but hung on to win the tie 7-5 on aggregate after yesterday’s 5-2 success.

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Grange EL opened the scoring in the 24th minute, Lee McNamara being presented with the easiest of opportunities to tap the ball into an empty net after former pupils’ goalkeeper Vikki Hansen had committed herself.

Three minutes later, captain Beth Dodds reduced the aggregate deficit to one goal, scoring directly from a penalty corner to put Grange EL 2-0 up.

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However, Erskine Stewart’s Melville FP responded with a vital goal shortly after the half-time interval, Ash Corry eventually forcing the ball over the line after valiant attempts by Grange ‘keeper Chantal Gulliot to deny her opponents.

In the 46th minute, they were presented with an opportunity to level the scores from the penalty spot but Guillot was alive to save the flick.

Four minutes later, the tie was seemingly put out of Grange’s reach; Sue Davidson latched onto Corry’s cross to dispatch the ball past Guillot, putting Erskine Stewart’s Melville FP back on parity, while crucially restoring the three goal aggregate advantage.

But Dodds made the remaining three minutes interesting, firing home another penalty corner for her second goal and to give Grange a 3-2 win.

Alas, it was not enough; Erskine Stewart’s Melville FP retaining their place in Division 1 courtesy of a 7-5 win on aggregate.

 

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