Edinburgh University aim for cup double but Hillhead and Watsonians may have other ideas

Scottish Cup Final days are always something special for clubs, players, officials and spectators – it is a huge day out to celebrate the denouement of a competition that goes back to 1963.
In 2025 it is Hillhead and Edinburgh University that will contest the men`s final while the women`s is the all-Edinburgh affair between University and holders Watsonians.

Whatever is the outcome on Saturday between Hillhead and Edinburgh University in the men`s final, there will be a new name on that famous trophy. Although both sides have had some final experience, neither have actually won the men’s trophy.

Hillhead have completed a reasonably successful season so far – they finished fifth in the Premiership but twelve points behind the Edinburgh student above them. Their top six campaign ended with a single victory and four defeats, but their victory was a 3-1 win at Peffermill. That day Hillhead`s scorers were Murray Ross, Matt Carder \and Jimmy Lynch Small. Is that an omen?

However, Hillhead`s biggest threat is their very unpredictability – they are capable causing a big result, demonstrated aptly by dumping Grange out of the competition in the previous round, albeit in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

And Hillhead are not over shy in front of goal with 40 in their 16 league encounters with Fraser Ward, Andrew Black along with Carder and Small featuring recently.

So we asked Hillhead coach Yan Adams about the chances of lifting the cup. He replied: “We`re absolutely underdogs. We know we can beat Uni now, after our win in the league, but the flipside is that gives them lots to learn from, not to mention the exceptional playing talent they have.

“But we`re showing up to win, not just to make an appearance. I`m delighted that either way, a team will lift the cup for the first ever time.”

Hillhead did contest the cup final a few years ago but lost out to Western Wildcats, now Yan Adams will be hoping his charges can go one better on Saturday afternoon.

The Edinburgh students, under coach Neil Allan, finished fourth in the Premiership table and consequently made the play-offs which is a fair achievement, but their form recently has been a bit up and down. In the top six competition the students recorded two wins and three reversals. However, their final fixture against Watsonians showed what could be done with a 3-2 win with regular scorers Iain McFadden, Keir Robb and Tom Cahalin on target.

There is a lot of talent in the Uni ranks and galvanising that into results is the challenge.

Edinburgh have made the final a few times in the recent past, but have always fallen short, so could this be their year for their first Scottish Hockey silverware?

Edinburgh University women could make it a Uni double but they would have to see off holders Watsonians to achieve that feat.

Under new coach Henry Langton the students finished fourth in the Premiership, ten points behind winners Watsonians. The season had its high and low points and that was reflected in their final five games which included two wins, two draws and a defeat. And that included a 5-3 defeat at the hands of Watsonians in the latter`s drive towards the Premiership title.

But Henry Langdon reflected on the occasion. “The cup final is ther kind of game that the players love to be involved in. After a long season, we are relishing the chance to win some silverware. While we have full respect for the quality Watsonians bring, we`re stepping on to the pitch with a clear winning intent.

“We`re excited to put on a show on Sunday, it should be a fantastic contest, as our games against Watsonians always are.”

The students do have strikers capable of finding the net including Harriett Platt, Cat Nelli, Itske Hooftman and Ava Smith but can they do that on Sunday against the champions? Further, they have a host of current and aspiring Scotland players, For example, there were eight Edinburgh University players in the recent Scotland team that faced Wales over last weekend. So the talent is definitely there.

Unlike the men, Edinburgh`s women have a fair history of success in the cup finals in the recent past. They first won the silverware in 2014 and a total of five cup trophies to 2019, but thereafter the cupboard has been bare.

But Watsonians are back at their lethal best for the final run-in to the season. After a sticky patch just before the winter break when the Premiership title seemed all but lost, Keith Smith`s charges got stuck in and won all five of their top six matches and wrested the title from under the noses of Clydesdale Western. A never-say-die approach to proceedings!

Further, Keith Smith`s charges had three cracking wins in the pool part of the EuroHockey Club Trophy – the second tier of European club hockey – and only lost out in the final to Hampstead & Westminster through a last gasp strike. So their late season run of form continues unabated.

If this impressive form continues to prevail, then Watsonians could be destined to retain the cup trophy they have held on to for the last three years.

 

Details

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26 APRIL

10:00 – Men’s Reserve Cup Final

11:00 – Men’s Reserve Plate Final (Pitch 2)

12:00 – Men’s District Cup Final

13:00 – Men’s District Plate Final (Pitch 2)

14:00 – Men’s Scottish Plate Final

16:00 – Men’s Scottish Cup Final

 

27 APRIL

10:00 – Women’s District Plate Final

12:00 – Women’s District Cup Final

14:00 – Women’s Scottish Plate Final

16:00 – Women’s Scottish Cup Final

 

EARLY BIRD TICKETS (ends 7 April)

– £7 (adult) /  £5 (U16) Day

– £10 (adult) / £7 (U16) Weekend

– £15 (adult) / £10 (U16) Three Finals (Includes Grand Finals)

– Free – U8s

 

FULL PRICE TICKETS

  • £10 (adult) / £6 (U16) Day
  • £15 (adult) / £10 (U16) Weekend
  • £20 (adult) / £15 (U16) Three Finals (Includes Grand Finals)
  • Free – U8s

 

LIVE STREAM PPV

 

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