Close games and eye-catching results in the Premiership

The top encounters in both the men`s and women`s Premierships produced close results – there was no more than a goal between the sides – and a couple of attention grabbing performances in the mix. In the women`s competition champions Watsonians were held to a 1-1 draw at home by a rapidly improving GHK while Grange men succumbed to the rising star of Watsonians. So, it`s all change at the top, and indeed there were a few competitive encounters at the lower reaches as well.

So to Watsonians` women – GHK have shown a lot of grit this season, but to glean a 1-1 draw against the reigning champions at home shows how far the team has come.

It certainly did not look promising for the Glasgow side when Sarah Jamieson opened Watsonians` account in only 90 seconds. That`s how it stood at the interval, and then in the third quarter MacKenzie Brown stepped up to equalise. The hard-fought 1-1 draw keeps GHK in third spot.

Edinburgh University women secured back to back wins over Glasgow University and Fjordhus Reivers in midweek catch-up games. In the clash of the universities Edinburgh were comfortable 3-0 winners, Ava Findlay scored twice while the other strike came from Sophia Donald.

Against Reivers the Edinburgh students were only one up at the interval with a goal from Sophie Anderson in her first game back from injury.  But five further goals flowed in the second half from Sophia Donald, a couple by Ava Smith, then Alex Pitchford and Zara Kennedy for a 6-0 final tally.

But their progress up the division was halted with a 4-3 reversal at Clydesdale Western and the result keeps the Titwood-based side in pole position in the Premiership.  The home side were three up at the interval through Ciara Forgie, Ava Graham and Heather Howie and the points looked sealed.  But in the second half Ruth Blaikie`s effort was bundled over the line by the Clydesdale defenders, Emily McLean scored from a rebound while Cat Nelli volleyed home after good work from Zara Kennedy – and now it was 3-3.  But with 80 seconds to go unmarked Millie Steiger grasped the winner with a simple back post strike.

The result of all of this is that Clydesdale top the Premiership by five points but second placed Watsonians have a game in hand, GHK are third while Edinburgh University lie fourth.

Elsewhere, Wildcats remain fifth after a 2-2 with Grange. The Cats led at the interval, the opening was created by Kate Holmes and Ailise Milroy and finished off by Emma McDairmid. After the break Heather Croll levelled and with five minutes left Kirsten Turnbull put Grange ahead. However, with time running out Frances Lonergan`s penalty corner conversion produced a share of the points.

In the lower reaches St Andrews University and Inverleith fought out a goalless draw. Glasgow University retain their top six place with a 2-1 win over Fjordhus Reivers whose goal came from Abbie Irvine, and unfortunately they are still at the foot of the table.  Finally Uddingston rise out of the bottom area with a 4-0 win over Hillhead.

In the men`s competition Watsonians extended their unbeaten run to seven games with a 2-1 win over Grange, and they sit in second spot just behind Western Wildcats on goal difference. So the fairy tale continues!

Watsonians were one up at the interval with a strike by Martin Cunnane after Roddy Craig had dribbled into the circle.  But in the second half the Premiership champions were level through Michael McKenzie after a penalty corner scramble.  However, in the final quarter Watsonians` penalty corner expert Dan Coultas secured the three points with a direct shot at a penalty corner. And Watsonians continued their remarkable run.

In contrast Grange now drop down to third in the table.

Western Wildcats took over at the top of the men`s Premiership with a narrow 3-2 win over Edinburgh University, although the winner only emerged in the final two minutes.

It was the students who opened with a penalty corner conversion by Iain McFadden but before the interval Rob Harwood had levelled for the visitors.  Wildcats took a 2-1 lead early in the final quarter through Aussie Simon Wells – his first goal for the club. But back came the home side and again it was McFadden`s expertise at the set piece that did the damage.

The contest seemed to be drifting for a share of the points with only two minutes left when up popped Fraser Moran to finish off a well-worked move and seal the three points.  However, there was a bit of drama in the final seconds with an overtime penalty corner awarded to the students but the effort finally went wide and the score line stood.

ESM Lions continue in fifth spot although they were held to a 2-2 draw by Uddingston in Edinburgh.   After a goalless first half James Stables put ESM ahead with a reverse stick shot only for Connor Richmond Spence to level for the Lanarkshire outfit. Olly Pillinger restored ESM`s lead at a set piece but points were shared when Alex McGregor equalised for Uddingston. The point gained ensured that Uddingston still remain in the top six.

The matches in the lower echelons were equally competitive.  For instance Grove Menzieshill and Hillhead fought out a thrilling 5-5 draw – the second time this season Hillhead have accumulated that score line.  Findlay Duncan opened for the Taysiders in only two minutes when he rounded the keeper and smashed the ball into the net. Then Hillhead raced into a 5-1 lead through Andrew Sinclair at a penalty corner, a double from Murray Ross, Matt Carder and finally Ruari Thomson…and the points were in the bag.

But no.  Back came the `Hill, Albert Rowling, two penalty corners from Chris McFadden and another from Rowling – all in the fourth quarter – rescued a draw from the occasion.

Inverleith finally got off bottom spot after a torrid start to the season with a 4-3 win over Dunfermline Carnegie.  The catalyst was Charlie Jack with a hat-trick and the other from Hamish Norval while a double from Josh Love and one from Theo Wood replied for the Fifers.  Unfortunately that result leaves Carnegie in bottom spot – the only side with no points.

A relieved Inverleith captain Kyle Taylor said: “I’m buzzing for the lads to finally get points on the board after a difficult start to the season. I don`t think it is a fair reflection on how we have performed but hopefully now we can take this on into the next few weeks.”

And that is because Dundee Wanderers picked up their first point with a 2-2 draw with Clydesdale – their scorers were Kennedy Gibb and Fergus Sandison.

 

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