Kelburne in search of ninth title

ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT NATIONAL LEAGUE

Glynhill Kelburne are on the prowl for their ninth
consecutive Aberdeen Asset Management national league title and
newly promoted AAM Gordonians are the first visitors to
Bellahouston for the opening league game of the
season.

Although the Aberdonians seem to have taken some time to adjust
to the pace of the top flight, losing all four games in the
Presidents Cup and 20 goals in the process, Harry Coles, Kelburne`s
manager, is his usual guarded persona.

“Since this is the first opportunity the squad have had to play
together as a unit, due to international commitments, I don`t think
we can take anything for granted.    Gordonians have
been making steady progress over the past couple of seasons, and
like everyone else, will be looking to get off to a good start,”
Coles remarked.

Certainly the Paisley side will be reinforced by the return of
their international players, fresh from their success in the World
League last week, but Gareth Hall sustained a back injury and is an
absentee.
 
Despite all the trials and tribulations for Kelburne at the start
of this season, it is difficult to imagine anything other than a
convincing home win.  (Bellahouston @ 13.30)

Grange, second in the table last season, will certainly not want
a repeat of last season`s shock against AMN Hillhead at Peffermill
to start off this year`s campaign.     Hillhead
came to the Capital desperate to survive in the top flight, they
upset the Grange management by taking a 3-2 lead, only to be
frustrated by the Edinburgh fog.   The Glasgow side
returned, and this time held on to the same scoreline until the end
of the 70 minutes, Andrew Duke (2) and Wei Adams getting the
goals.

“The opening game of the season will be tough as Hillhead are a
well organised team and have a number of talented players, so we
will need to be at our best to win the game,” said Colin Clarke,
Grange`s coach.

Grange, in the final build-up for the EuroLeague next weekend,
will have a strong squad on duty, but missing will be Martin
Johnstone and Andrew Brogdon, both are injured.  (Peffermill @
11.45)

Grove Menzieshill could be a tough nut to crack this season,
especially with new coach Chris Anderson and the return of Scotland
players Gavin Byers and Ross Stott, and the Taysiders start their
campaign with a home game against Edinburgh
University.    Anderson will be very wary of this
encounter, last season they beat the students 4-0 in Dundee, but
then lost 3-1 in Edinburgh.

The Students have made a promising start to the new season,
unbeaten in the President Cup group stages, but just failed to make
the final following a 1-1 draw with Hillhead.   Former
Frankfurt player Max Brors seems a more than useful recruit, he has
been rattling in the goals, including the winner against
Grange.   However, Edinburgh may find Menzieshill at home
a handful and taking anything from Tayside could be seen as a real
bonus.   (DISC @ 13.00)

Sunday sees the finals of the pre-national league tournaments,
it is an all-Edinburgh affair in the men`s Presidents Cup between
Inverleith and Grange.   The former won pool A with a
perfect record, while Grange topped the other group after Edinburgh
University failed to overcome AMN Hillhead in their final
game.   (Peffermill @ 11.10)

The Peregrines Cup final is between the giants of the women`s
game Grove Menzieshill and Milne Craig Western.   This
will perhaps be a test of the strength in dept of the respective
squads as neither side will be able to use their several
international players.  (Peffermill @ 12.55)

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