How Dundee sees it from Jim Shepherd 17th February 2009

European Indoor
Menzieshill in Russelsheim in Germany for their 13th venture into European Indoor competition did not prove a happy one as they lost three games after a 3-3 draw with Luzerner SC, who finished third, in their opening game, then finished with a 3-2 win over HC Wiener on Sunday morning but both were by that time relegated.

Manager and very experienced European, Bruce Cuthill, summed up the weekend in realistic terms when he said ‘We did not play up to standard and did not take scoring opportunities we had. Some rebuilding is now required and we must accept that some of our younger players lacked experience’

The consolation is that Menzieshill, as Scottish Champions, are back in Europe next year and the lack of experience will be less telling in the Trophy event [was the ‘B’ Division]

In the final, the host club RK Russelsheimer, 2-0 down at half-time to Club de Campo de Madrid, were level 2-2 at full time and the golden goal winner was scored by the German club.

Loughborough Students from England finished 5th in the Trophy event at Prague where Orient Lyngby (Demark) and host club Bohemians Praha are promoted to Cup for 2010.

Now it is the turn of Bonagrass Grove ladies to play in Europe when, this weekend, they go to Wettingen in Switzerland for the Champions Trophy and the target is simple, promotion to the Championship, formerly the ‘A’ Division, for 2010.

Audrey Sime is coach assisted by former Scotland and Menzieshill player Jimmy Cox.

In another sparse weekend of frozen pitches, mainly on the east of the country, as the weather hit hockey hard but in the men’s National Outdoor league Division 1B Web-Energy Hillhead made a good restart with a 6-2 win over Edinburgh University but Dundee Wanderers v Watsonians was one of the causalities as were a number of the men’s Reserve Plate games on Sunday but not Menzieshill 3rds with a 4-1 win over Falkirk 4ths.

The last of the National Indoor Hockey were the ladies Division 2 games at Bells on Saturday and the title was not decided until Inverleith won the last game of the season by 4-1, over demoted Dunfermline, to top the Division by three points over Waverley. Earlier, Inverleith had a 2-1 win over Aberdeen Ladies.

Inverleith join Dundee Wanderers and Kelburne as the only clubs with men’s and women’s team in the top Divisions.

There are no MHU outdoor results due to the weather and the fixture back log is becoming almost unmanageable
Weather permitting there is a near full SUBWAY Outdoor National League programme this weekend with only the 1A sections in the men’s and women’s leagues and the men’s Division 2 still inactive.

Dundee Wanderers men are away to Edinburgh University and the Dundonians should collect points.
On Sunday there are SHU men’s Scottish Plate fixtures.

Rule Trial
Scottish Hockey will trial the "self-pass" / "free hit" rule, which was initially used in the men’s EuroHockey League, in the second half of the men’s and women’s National Outdoor League Div.1A and Div.1B Leagues. This rule trial will only be used for Div.1 matches. Any matches involving teams outwith Division 1 (Cup, Plate, Play-Off, etc) will revert to the existing rules.

The self hit rules trial will begin with immediate effect for Div.1 matches, and will come into effect for all hockey next season.

Clubs should note that in accordance with SHU Byelaws no transfers shall be authorised after the 1st March except in exceptional circumstances when a player may apply directly to the Competitions Executive. .

Comments on 2009-10 Calendar meeting held in Stirling last week are required to be sent to the SHU by the 27th and ‘papers’ from the meeting have been circulated to clubs and there is to be another meeting in April

Jim Shepherd
15th February 2009

Note from previous weeks since the last report
Menzieshill men and Bonagrass Grove ladies retained the SUBWAY Division 1 Indoor titles but neither could make it a League / Cup double
The Scottish Indoor Cup events at Bells in Perth on Sunday 10th February were won by Azzurri Kelburne men, currently Scotland’s top outdoor team, and Milne Craig Western Ladies and for Kelburne this was their first major Scottish Indoor success

The Midland men’s indoor season was completed on 5th February with VWS Dundee Wanderers 1sts retaining the Division 1 Title in a three-way play-off with Harris 1sts and 2nds.

Visiting coach
At Perth for the Indoor for last two weekends in January was Peter Jones the USA men’s coach, who will be remembered as the player who used to cross the Atlantic at weekends to play in the Grange Indoor team in the 90’s.

Scottish Hockey and its coaches obviously have something to offer the sport in America with Dundonians, Andrew Thornton, Guy Cathro and Rennie Milne all in action there and Ami Bhachu to play there this month while last year Gordon Shepherd headed up an Indoor Coaches’ course in the States.

Scottish Hockey is bucking the trend of termination of sponsorship deals and it has been jointly announced by Kukri and the SHU that the current 3-year kit sponsorship deal has been extended to 7 years.
JAS / 15 Feb 2008