The RGU Cup is an annual men’s indoor tournament held over the festive period at the excellent RGU Sport facility in Garthdee.  It aims to bring top indoor hockey to the north east, and this year’s event on Sunday 3^rd January was no exception.   

Despite Scotland playing a series of games against Wales over the same weekend, teams from Menzieshill, Inverleith, Dundee Wanderers (all in the top 4 of National 1) and Harris (also National 1) travelled to take on local teams Aberdeen Asset Management (currently 3^rd in National 2) and GCW (National 3).   

The tournament provides an opportunity for GCW’s men to test themselves against the best teams in the country, while also shrugging off the excesses of Christmas.  GCW started their campaign well against Dundee Wanderers, showing some composure in defence and threat in attack, eventually losing 5-2 against their more fancied opponents with goals from John Graham and Iain Brand (lobbed over the advancing keeper).   

Next up was Inverleith, who managed to replace absent GB international Stephen Dick with Graham Moodie, another with GB Olympic experience.  Although GCW started well, holding Inverleith goalless for the first 15 minutes, the Edinburgh team went into the break 4-0 up.  After half-time, a combination of Inverleith’s pace and precision and tiredness in the GCW ranks saw the score stretch to 10-2, John G and Russ Heron getting the consolation goals.  

This meant GCW would play Harris in the 5^th/6^th play-off.  Harris play their league indoor hockey in National 1, so the Men in Black had a challenge on their hands to keep the game close.  After a steady start, GCW slowly exerted control of the game, with goals from John G (2), Andy Todd, Brando and Stuart Begg resulting in a 5-3 upset win.  This is GCW’s first win in this tournament, eclipsing last year’s draw with Gordonians which was eventually lost on penalty strokes.  

Inverleith eventually won the final 8-1 against Menzieshill, showing too much pace and accuracy for their decorated opponents.  Read both the Grampian Hockey website and the Scottish Hockey website for more info.