Hockey: Jaguars aim to see off Pumas in title fight

For the first time in several years a Scottish side, Highland Jaguars, sit resplendent at the top of the Great Britain Super League.

This weekend is the final leg of the competition at Lilleshall and the Jaguars are up against English side Pennine Pumas in a head-to-head for the title. The Jaguars are ahead by a point, but the Pumas, probably the stronger of the two English sides, have the luxury of a game in hand.

Over the years, coach Derek Forsyth has had the knack of leading Scottish sides to success in both the club and international arena, and now he is in charge of an unbeaten Jaguars squad. A fortnight ago the Jaguars came away from Cardiff with a 2-1 win over Welsh outfit Celtic Panthers and a 2-2 draw with Saxon Tigers from England, and on Wednesday his charges saw off the other Scottish side Caledonian Cougars 5-3.

But the real purpose of the competition is selection not results, to identify potential talent for the Great Britain Olympic squad. But the GB squad players will not be performing at Lilleshall this weekend, they are on their way to Malaysia for the prestigious Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. So the main benefactors of this exercise could be Forsyth's youngsters for future Olympics, including his own son Alan, Glynhill Kelburne clubmates Michael Bremner, Josh Cairns with brothers Gordon and Ross McIntyre, along with Daniel Coultas (Durham), Matt Connor (Grange), Fraser Hirst (Greaves Clydesdale) and Callum Milne (Surbiton).

The other Scottish side Caledonian Cougars are still pointless after two outings, but have the chance to redeem their reputation with games against Saxon Tigers and other bottom side Celtic Panthers.

In the women's competition, the Cougars are in line for a place in tomorrow's final, but they have the powerful Saxon Tigers to play in their final pool match, a side bristling with English internationalists.

But this does not faze Scotland coach Gordon Shepherd. "Our target is the same as it was at the start of the tournament, to reach the final and therefore play the English senior team twice," he said. "We will also be looking at a few new players and see how everyone is progressing."

Shepherd has consequently rung a few changes. GB keeper Abi Walker gives way to Milne Craig Western's Amy Gibson who has just returned from a long-term knee injury. In the midfield, Kareena Marshall from Giffnock and Western's Susan McGilveray replace Leigh Fawcett and Becky Merchant, who now plays for Dutch side Bloemendaal. Grove Menzieshill striker Ailsa Wyllie is recalled along with newcomer Nicky Lloyd.