Purple Robes and Wanderers retain indoor crowns

Inverleith and Dundee Wanderers were the winners of the Men’s and Women’s titles in the National Indoor League Gala Finals in what was a packed day of action at the Bells Sports Centre in Perth.

(Two in a row for champions Inverleith. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

The Men’s National Indoor League Division 1 title decider between indoor specialists Grove Menzieshill and Inverleith was always going to be a fiery contest and it didn’t disappoint.

Chris Wilson gave Grove Menzieshill the lead in the 11th minute, his deflection from Ross McPherson’s shot careering high into the net. Gavin Byers doubled the lead three minutes later to make it 2-0.

However, Inverleith stormed back after the interval, Adam McKenzie and Stephen Dick levelling the scores at 2-2 by the midway point of the half, before Aeden McCrossan gave the Purple Robes a 3-2 lead in the 31st minute.

Nevertheless, Wilson claimed his second of the match to level the scores again at 3-3 sixty seconds later.

With three minutes remaining, good work from Dick found Derek Salmond with the goalkeeper to beat and he made no mistake slamming the ball home to make it 4-3.

Two minutes later, Dick wrapped up the match to make it 5-3 and send the title back to Edinburgh for a second year running.

(Derek Salmond celebrates his goal for Inverleith. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

In the Women’s National Indoor League Division 1 final, Dundee Wanderers cruised to an 8-1 success over Clydesdale Western.

(Vikki Bunce demonstrated her prowess with four goals in the women’s final. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

Four goals from international star Vikki Bunce was always going to make it an uphill struggle for the Titwood outfit.

Charlotte Watson added a double with goals either side of the half-time break, while goals from Rachel Osbourne and Emily Dark gave the Tayside outfit a comfortable win.

Clydesdale Western’s consolation came from Fiona Bruce.

Wanderers notched up their third league title in a row in the process and they will also take Scotland’s European spot next year.

(Dundee Wanderers. Champions. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

Grove Menzieshill II were crowned champions of Men’s National Indoor League Division 2 after defeating Uddingston 4-3.

(Grove Menzieshill win Division 2. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

Ben Cromar netted twice, with goals also coming from Cameron Goldie and Andrew Johnston. Martin Lorimer, Tom Hyndman and Nic McEwen were Uddingston’s scorers.

Inverleith Ladies ran out winners of Women’s National Indoor League Division 2 after a narrow 6-5 success against Dundee Wanderers II.

(Inverleith Ladies celebrate. Photo Credit Duncan Gray)

Doubles for Laura Swanson and Carly Bisset helped themselves to two goals each, while Rachel Campbell and Lucy Jamieson netted one apiece. Sam Sangster (x2), Katy Smith (x2) and Alison Sangster scored for the Dundonians.

Men’s National Indoor League Division 1 & 2 Play-Offs

Hillhead were relegated from Men’s National Indoor League Division 1 after falling to a heavy 10-2 defeat at the hands of PSL Team Sport Clydesdale, which included four goals from Fraser Hirst and a double from Ciaran Crawford.

(Fraser Hirst was in among the goals for Clydesdale. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

Crawford was on fire for the Glasgow side in the following Division 1 / 2 Play-Off against Alpha Data Carnegie, netting a first half hat-trick penalty corners in a 11-1 win to keep their place in Division 1.

Harris Academy FP condemned Inverleith II to relegation from Division 2 after a 9-2 win. Albert Rowling scored a phenomenal six goals, while Gavin Martin scored twice and Sam Owen-Hughes also made his way onto the scoresheet.

(An 8-4 win for Harris Academy FP kept their Division 2 status in tact. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

The Taysiders went on to defeat Thomsons Cycles Kelburne II with a 8-4 win in the Division 2 / 3 Play-Off, Rowling scoring another four goals.

Marc Callaghan grabbed a double with Ethan Drew and Gavin Martin scoring once. Andrew Bremner, Andrew Duff (x2) and Miles Goldie got the goals for the Paisley side.

Women’s National Indoor League Division 1 & 2 Play-Offs

CALA Edinburgh survived the intensity of two survival matches in Women’s National Indoor League Division 1. In their first match, they saw off the threat of fellow strugglers Aberdeen Bon Accord MBC with a 6-3 win to relegate the Aberdonians.

(CALA Edinburgh fought their way to safety in Division 1. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

They subsequently faced Edinburgh University in the Division 1/2 play-off after the students dispatched Aberdeen Ladies earlier in the day with a comprehensive 11-1 win, including hat-tricks from Becky Dru and Claire Hill.

A double from Amy Brodie, with goals from Emma Stirling and Amy Jane Russell were enough to ensure the capital outfit eased to a 4-1 win and retain their place in the top division.

Results

Match 1: CALA Edinburgh (Amy Brodie 3’, 24’, Robin Robeson 24’, Lucy Lanigan 27’, 30’, Hannah McKie 38’) 6-3 Aberdeen Bon Accord MBC (Morven Duff 9’, Holly Masson 29’, 33’). Aberdeen Bon Accord MBC relegated from Women’s Division 1.

Match 2: Aberdeen Ladies (Sarah Allan 12′) 1-11 Edinburgh University (Rebecca Dru 1′ 7′, 22’ Claire Hill 5′ 6′ 15′, Katherine Donner 10′, Fiona Galbraith 32’, Waverley Miller 35’ 38’, Bethan Mann 38’). Edinburgh University progressed to Women’s Division 1 / 2 Play-Off

Match 3: Hillhead (Iain Hilton 20’ 31’) 2-10 Clydesdale (Fraser Hirst 1’ 3’ 23’ 35’, Ciaran Crawford 13’ 36’, Patrick Lonergan 22’, Dean Baber 24’, David Clark 38’, David Nairn 40’) Hillhead relegated from Men’s Division 1, Clydesale progressed to Division 1 /2 Play-Off.

Match 4: Harris Academy FP (Albert Rowling x6, Gavin Martin x2, Hughes x1) 9-2 Inverleith II (Stuart Hutton x1, Ross Jamieson x1). Inverleith II relegated from Men’s Division 2

Match 5: Uddingston (Martin Lorimer 13’, Tom Hyndman 19’, Nic McEwen 39′) 3-4 Grove Menzieshill (Ben Cromar 9’ 10’, Cameron Golden 34’, Alan Johnston 38’). Grove Menzieshill II win Men’s Division 2.

Match 6: Dundee Wanderers II (Sam Sangster 16’ 34’, Katy Smith 21’ 23’, Alison Sangster 38’) 5-6 Inverleith Ladies (Laura Swanson 1’ 14’, Carly Bisset 2’ 29’, Rachel Campbell 10’, Lucy Jamieson 13’). Inverleith Ladies win Women’s Division 2

Match 7: CALA Edinburgh (Amy Brodie 4’ 17’, Emma Stirling 5’, Amy Jane Russell 38’) 4-1 Edinburgh University (Rebecca Dru 9’). CALA Edinburgh retain place in Women’s Division 1

Match 8: Clydesdale (Ciaran Crawford 2’ 3’ 6’, David Clark 22’ 29’ 38’, David Nairn 17’, Dean Baber 18′, Chris McFadden 27’, Michael McKenzie 28’ 31’) 11-1 Alpha Data Carnegie (Jamie Stewart 16’). Clydesdale retain place in Men’s Division 1.

Match 9: Harris Academy FP (Albert Rowlings 3’ 6’ 15’ 38’, Ethan Drew 7’ Marc Callaghan 18’ 37’, Gavin Martin 40’) 8-4 Kelburne II (Miles Goldie 1’, Andrew Bremner 22’, Andrew Duff 25’, 30’). Harris Academy retain place in Men’s Division 2.

Match 10: Dundee Wanderers (Vikki Bunce 1’ 5’ 22’ 36’, Charlotte Watson 8’ 30’, Rachel Osbourne 14’, Emily Dark 27’) 8-1 Clydesdale Western (Fiona Bruce 17’). Dundee Wanderers win the Women’s Division 1 title.

Match 11: Grove Menzieshill (Chris Wilson 11’ 32’, Gavin Byers 14’) 3-5 Inverleith (Adam McKenzie 24’, Stephen Dick 27’ 39’’, Aeden McCrossan 31’, Derek Salmond 37’). Inverleith win the Men’s Division 1 title.

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