Fans celebrate ice-hockey victory

Kevin Keane
Fife reporter
BBC Scotland news website

A Dundee Stars player picks up the Scottish Ice Hockey cup

Sports fans in Dundee have been celebrating after their local side took home the Scottish Ice Hockey Cup.

Part-time team Dundee Stars made it to the final of the competition where they played Solway Stars from Dumfries.

The final was held at the Fife Ice Arena in Kirkcaldy and was attended by hundreds of ice hockey fans who travelled from both towns.

Dundee were the favourites and eventually took the title after beating their opponents 7 - 4.

The winning team included a motorcycle mechanic, electrician, salesman and even a caravan site owner.

Each side is allowed to have up to 22 players but only six are allowed on the ice at a time.

Hundreds of ice-hockey fans were at Kirkcaldy Ice Rink to see the final

Both clubs had been expecting a higher attendance at the game.

They put the poor showing down to the fuel strike.

Despite the low attendance, officials have insisted that the sport is increasing in popularity.

Charlie Ward, of the Scottish Ice Hockey League, told the BBC Scotland news website: "We had a lean spell in Scotland in particular after the demise of the British National League three seasons ago but this season the crowds are starting to come back again.

"Clearly they are seeing that we're trying to improve the sport in this area."

Among the travelling supporters was 80-year-old Beatrice Robinson from Dundee.

She goes to every game the team play and has been supporting them from almost 10 years.

Mrs Robinson said: "You get hooked on it so you've got to support the club.

"It gets your adrenaline going."