Testing start for champions Inverleith

Stuart Neave, Inverleith`s coach, saw off Tayside`s 16
year monopoly last season and took the Subway indoor national
league title for the first time in the club`s history, but
retaining the championship is this season`s task for the ambitious
Edinburgh side.

Inverleith certainly did it in style, they dropped only two
points in the entire campaign, but Neave has shied away from false
boasts and simply stated that his side are looking forward to the
challenge of retaining their crown.

It is a bit of a nightmare start for Neave`s charges at Bell`s
Sports Centre in Perth on Saturday, they open against Edinburgh
rivals Grange, who came third in the table last season, and then
tackle a Grove Menzieshill outfit that held the title for the
previous seven years.

“This weekend we have games against the two teams that provided
our most difficult challenges last season, so it will be an
interesting opening day.  I`m sure our opposition will be well
prepared, so we have to ensure we are at our best from the start,”
said Neave.

Last season Inverleith drew 3-3 with Menzieshill in their
opening fixture, but then trounced the Dundonians 7-1 in the
return, Chris Grassick, Graham Moodie and Adam MacKenzie all scored
twice after Stephen Dick had notched the opener in only three
minutes.  However, Grassick and Phil Hall are not available
while there doubt over the fitness of Dick which will limit
Inverleith`s firepower.

Should the champions see off both Grange and Menzieshill in
Saturday`s fixtures, Neave`s ambition for a second title could come
closer to reality.

Menzieshill may be on the warpath to regain their lost crown,
but the experienced Bruce Cuthill is aware that it will require
hard graft from his players.   “Inverleith are now a hard
team to beat, Stuart Neave has them well organised and they will
not want to give up the title, but I`m confident that we can take
them,” Cuthill remarked.

There are no new faces in the Menzieshill squad, but the veteran
Kenny Stibbles has finally retired after years of good
service.   However, the Taysiders may just have the edge
in match practice, they went to Prague to take on some of the top
sides in Europe a fortnight ago and came away with the bronze
medal.

Menzieshill`s opening fixture is against Greaves Clydesdale, a
match they should win with a bit to spare.

In the past the likes of Grange, Western Wildcats and Glynhill
Kelburne have produced the odd rogue result against the title
chasers, but have failed to mount any sustained challenge for the
championship.  Grange came a very creditable third last
season, and captain David Knipe wants to build on that and be
challenging at the top end of the table.  After their opening
encounter with Inverleith, the Edinburgh side take on Clydesdale
later in the day.

Captain Douglas Simpson feels it would be unrealistic to see
Western Wildcats as title challengers, they have not yet started
indoor training, but he is enthusiastic about the fact that brother
Joe, who used to play for top German outfit Grossflottbecker a few
years ago, will take over as coach.  Laurie McKelvie returns
to the Wildcats` pack from Greenock, but the absence of the now
retired Vishal Marwaha will leave a huge hole in the midfield.

As for Kelburne, manager Harry Coles gave little away.  “It
will be pretty much as before, although we may spring the odd
surprise here and there.”   Last season that mean
finishing in second bottom spot, but it would appear that Iain
Scholefield, who now plays outdoors for Belgian side Royal Uccle,
will return to reinforce Kelburne`s sometimes depleted indoor
squad.

Of the other sides, Clydesdale proved dark horses last year and
finished fourth, a similar performance from the Titwood youngsters
under the aegis of Alistair Bleach is likely.  Dundee
Wanderers, four times champions between 1999 and 2003, have since
fallen from grace, and might fall further without the services of
Allan Law this time.  CALA Edinburgh are the newcomers to the
top flight, beating AMN Hillhead in a promotion play-off, and for
them survival could be the main priority.   So points
against Western and Kelburne on the opening day would assist their
cause.

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