Western Wildcats men beaten in Europe but still lead the Premiership

Western Wildcats unfortunately fell at the first hurdle at the EuroHockey League (EHL) in Surbiton after going down 3-1 to Wimbledon and will now play for vital ranking points.

Euan Gilmour put the English Premier League side ahead in only ten minutes but in the second quarter Wildcats drew level with a penalty corner conversion by Jamie Golden.  But the killer blow came in a four minute spell in the second half when Samuel Hooper scored from a penalty corner and then from the spot to progress into the next round.

However, Wildcats retained their pole position in the men`s Premiership despite being in Europe, although both Watsonians and Grange drew level on points.

Grange travelled to Tayside and came away with a 5-1 win over Dundee Wanderers.  Robbie Croll and David Nairn both scored twice and Jacob Tweedie provided the opener while Callum Ross replied for Wanderers at a penalty corner.

Coach Stevie Grubb reflected: “It was a solid enough performance although we should have scored more goals.   Nonetheless it was a good result for us.”

Watsonians were also winners at Hillhead, but it took a belated strike by Tom Orr to secure the points and that leaves them in second spot. The Edinburgh side were off at the clappers with three goals in the first quarter through Matthew Leiper, Danny Cain at a penalty corner and Dan Coultas. But having done the difficult bit, Hillhead clawed their way back into the contest with goals from Callum Duke with a penalty corner slap, Murray Ross and Ruari Thomson who robbed Coultas at the back and chipped the on-rushing keeper….but in the end to no avail.

Edinburgh University retained fourth place with a 5-1 win at Inverleith, the latter stay bottom of the table. The individual scorers were Iain McFadden, Tom Cahalin, Keir Robb, Kyle Flockhart and Ollie Wilson with Charlie Jack replying for Inverleith.

Uddingston are continuing their impressive run of form with a 7-1 win at Dunfermline Carnegie. The highlight was a hat-trick from Amirul Halif, Robbie Forrest got two from penalty corners and the others emanated from Finn Halliday and Ben Young. Sam Eadie scored for the Fifers. The Lanarkshire side have consolidated their position in fifth.

Another side on the up are ESM, their second win in a row takes them up to sixth in the league after a 3-1 win at Grove Menzieshill. The Edinburgh side dominated the early proceedings but only took the lead at the end of the second quarter through Jack Collister. Jamie Hogarth reacted quickly at a penalty corner rebound to double ESM`s tally. Grove Menzieshill came back into the contest, Jamie Spratt pulled one back and Chris McFadden hit a post at a set piece, but it was ESM who confirmed their three points with a spot conversion from Collister.

Interestingly, the winners this weekend were all the away sides… so much for home advantage.

The Watsonians relentless pursuit of the women`s Premiership title continues unabated, this time they beat Hillhead 12-0. And they top the table with a massive goal difference. This time it was Katherine Holdgate who was top scorer with four and that was followed by two each for Sarah Jamieson, Beth McKenzie, Ailsa Small and Tabitha Peck.

But Clydesdale Western are sticking in there after a 3-1 win at Glasgow University. Ciara Forgie, Heather Howie and Ava Graham were the scorers.

GHK are in third spot, just two points behind after a seven goal win at Fjordhus Reivers.  And here it was Lucy Williamson who shone with a hat-trick, the other goals came from Beth Campbell, Miai Macaloney, Margery Justice and Joanne Boyle.

Wildcats recovered their goal scoring touch with a 3-0 win at Inverleith, Rachel Bain scored twice in the first half while Lucy Macmillan confirmed the three points with a third quarter strike.

Edinburgh University went to St Andrews and came away with a 4-1 win. Cat Nelli`s penalty corner strike was the only goal in the first half.  Edinburgh took control after the break, Nelli deflected in a looping effort and the Itske Hooftman added a third for a comfortable lead.   Liz Agatucci pulled one back for St Andrews but in the final quarter Isla Stewart deflected in at the back post for a comfortable 4-1 win.

Grange drew another game – their fourth in a row. This time it was goalless at Uddingston, and they hold on to sixth spot.

 

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