Watsonians women continue the victory trail but Grange men slip-up

FRIDAY EVENING

On Friday evening Edinburgh University threw a spanner in the workings of the men’s Premiership title race with a powerful 3-1 win over leaders Grange. The outcome ruined Grange`s unbeaten record and reduced their lead to a single point over the chasing pack of the Edinburgh students, and Western Wildcats.

However, despite the reversal, Grange still have the destiny of the title in their own hands – that is victories over Wildcats, Watsonians and Uddingston would still see the silverware return to the Grange HQ at Raeburn Place.

However, on the night it was the Edinburgh students who put in a powerful performance.  Just before the interval Ritchie McCluskey set the scene with the opening goal for Edinburgh. Then Keir Robb took up the scoring mantle with a second half double, the first from the spot after a foul in the circle by the Grange keeper and the second from open play for a three goal lead. Jamie Green scored a late consolation for the league leaders with a deflection at a penalty corner – but the students were not to be denied their evening of glory.

 

 

SATURDAY

Ironically, Edinburgh University`s famous victory last night has dropped them back to third in the table as Western Wildcats 5-1 win over Hillhead lifted them into second spot on the narrow margin of two goals.  Wildcats showed no mercy to Hillhead with doubles from Rob Harwood and Fraser Calder with the other coming from Hamish Galt.

Although disappointed, Hillhead coach Yan Adams reflected: “It was a very similar game, all-in-all, to the Grange game, with two late goals again denting an otherwise very solid performance.”  Ewan Campbell scored their consolation strike in the third quarter finishing off a penalty corner.

Meanwhile the race for the final top four place has taken a new twist – Uddingston have replaced Watsonians after a 2-1 home win.    Robbie Forrest and Craig Speirs were on target for the Lanarkshire side while a penalty corner strike by Dan Coultas was Watsonians only reply.

In the women`s Premiership Watsonians kept their five point lead at the top with a comfortable 6-0 win over fourth placed Clydesdale Western. There were two goals each for Ailsa Small and Sarah Jamieson, while Katherine Holdgate and Beth Dodds got the others.

Edinburgh University were also 6-0 winners; their win over Grange kept them in second spot in what is developing into a two horse race for the title. Ava Smith was the day`s top scorer with four while Ava Findlay bagged a couple.

In the other top six pool Wildcats and GHK fought out a 3-3 draw a three each draw at Auchenhowie.

GHK captain Carly Bisset reflected: “It was a very evenly contested game so a draw was probably a fair result, although tough to take when we were 3-1 up.”

Jo Boyle put GHK ahead only for Lucy Findlay to level for the Cats. GHK looked to have the three points secured when Margery Justice at a penalty corner and Lucy Williamson on a counter-attack put them 3-1 ahead with seven minutes left but a late double from Kate Holmes resulted in a share of the points in the end.

Clydesdale held on to top place in the men`s lower split with a 2-1 win over Inverleith, Jack Nairn and David Clark were on target while Hamish Norval replied for the Edinburgh side.

The Tayside pair continue to pull themselves out of the danger zone as they fought out a 1-1 draw. Jack Donaldson put Dundee Wanderers ahead in the first quarter, but with two minutes left Grove Menzieshill`s John Donald levelled at a breakaway.

It is tough task for Kelburne escaping the drop after losing 3-0 at ESM – they are now seven points adrift of second bottom Grove Menzieshill.  In contrast the Edinburgh side have picked up three valuable points and now move up to greater safety in tenth place.

It was the second quarter that did the damage with ESM scoring three through Jack Collister with a penalty corner deflection, Fraser Sturrock with a close range tap-in, and Jack Adams.   The second half produced no further goals although ESM`s Paddy Crookshanks did hit the bar.

Hillhead eased their relegation concerns with a 2-0 win over St Andrews University in the women`s lower split.  Emma Blackstock opened Hillhead`s account at a penalty corner in the first quarter, and the score was doubled in the second quarter through Julia Baldwin with a back post deflection at another penalty corner.

Goals from Dara Devine and Lucy Smith gave Glasgow University a valuable 2-1 win at Inverleith, the students now move up to ninth. Not such good news for Inverleith who slip back to tenth and now only a point above Hillhead in second bottom spot.

Uddingston remain in seventh spot with a comfortable 5-0 win over Gordonians. By half-time the home side were four up with a double from Lucy Hogarth and goals also from Olivia Mullen and Amelia Muir. Uddingston only added one to their tally in the second half through Lexi Macmillan.

 

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