Hockey: Students braced for make-or-break survival clash against city rivals

Edinburgh University must beat city rivals CALA Edinburgh tomorrow to retain their place in hockey’s Division One (1.15pm, Peffermill).

Several key members of the talented student team will be playing their final game and former Olympic coach Dennis Hay, who is a consultant to the students, said: “It’s a massive game as it is our last league fixture of the season. Victory ensures we stay in Division One.”

The students will be at full-strength as Callum Duke returns from injury.

Hay said: “CALA cannot be taken lightly. They are great survivors and have been in many tight situations before.

“We certainly don’t want to wait to contest a play-off which could be weeks away.”

Neil Allan, CALA’s coach, hopes to be near full-strength for the vital fixture, one of two remaining for the relegation-threatened Meggetland side, who also entertain Clydesdale on March 31. CALA sit in second bottom spot, four points adrift of Edinburgh University.

Elsewhere, Grange entertain relegation-threatened Hillhead, whom they beat 5-1 in the Scottish Cup last Sunday in Glasgow, looking for a victory to consolidate second place and bring European qualification for next season closer. They beat Hillhead 11-2 in the previous league match-up in early November in Glasgow.

Fourth-placed Inverleith travel to newly-crowned champions Kelburne hoping to erase the memory of their 9-1 hammering in November at Stirling.

Western, who are third, entertain already relegated Dundee Wanderers while Clydesdale host Grove Menzieshill.