Grange denied by dynamic Russian side

THERE was to be no gold medal for Grange in hockey's European Club Trophy in Cardiff as they fell 6-3 to the Russian side Dinamo Elektrostal in yesterday's final.

The Edinburgh side were blown away by a whirlwind first-half performance of attacking hockey by the talented Russians which saw them take a four-goal lead into the interval.

Grange were five down just after the interval, but Craig Harper opened their account with a penalty corner drag flick that was deflected past the keeper. The Russians retaliated to make it 6-1 but immediately Phil Sully brilliantly defected a shoulder-high cross into the net.

Grange finished the contest in positive mode. They had a spate of penalty corners, which Robb Barr converted from the spot to make the final score 6-3.

Meanwhile, Grove lost 1-0 to the Russian side Volga Telekom in the lower pool of the EuroLeague in Berlin in a result which could have serious implications for Scotland's participation next season.