Wildcats lose in Europe while Watsonians top men`s and women`s Premierships 

Western Wildcats men certainly had their claws clipped with a 7-0 defeat at the hands of top Belgian side Braxgata in the opening round of this season`s EHL in Barcelona, but it was never going to be an easy assignment against a side of that quality.

Braxgata slipped into the lead in the first quarter through Sebastien Dockier. But it was the second quarter that was the killer with three goals in as many minutes, Ben Walker and Thibeau Stockbroekx scored from open play and that was followed from the spot by Loick Luypaert. And just before the interval Luypaert added a fifth from a penalty corner.

The Scottish champions fell further behind in the third quarter with another penalty corner strike from Luypaert for his hat-trick and Marc Reyne. Fortunately the scoring dried up in the final quarter and the final score stood at 7-0 to the Belgians and they progress into the second round.

So on Sunday Wildcats will face the hosts Real Club de Polo in a ranking match – the Spanish went down 4-2 to Dutch side Kampong in their first round tie. Again, another challenging task for Vishal Marwaha`s charges.

Meanwhile, pride of place tonight must go to Watsonians who have opened up a three point gap at the top of the men`s Premiership with a 4-0 win at ESM Lions in the game of the day.  All the goals came in the first half with a double from Danny Cain followed up by strikes from Charlie Jack and Guy Rowson. The Lions came back into the contest in the second half but were unable to make any inroads into Watsonians` lead, they drop down to fifth but still a good start to the season.

Edinburgh University move up to fourth with a 4-1 home win over Clydesdale who remain rooted on second bottom place in the table.

And it was a golden victory for the students – that is all four goals emanated from Jamie Golden.  Cammie Mitchell was on target for the Glasgow side.

Grange kept in touch at the top with a 5-2 win over Hillhead at Fettes.  The home side took the lead in only four minutes through a volley finish from Livio Belotti.  Although Jackson Corry-Duff levelled for the Glasgow side, almost immediately a deflection at a penalty corner by David Nairn restored Grange`s advantage. But back came Hillhead to level for the second time through Murray Ross.

The destiny of the match turned on two goals in as many minutes just before half-time, the first came from Jacob Tweedie with a penalty corner rebound, then 18-year-old Angus Mo added another for a 4-2 lead. Three minutes into the second half Robbie Croll sent a reverse stick strike into the roof of the net for 5-2 to Grange, and that is how it finished despite further chances falling to both sides.

And the bonus for Grange is that they moved up to second in the table.

Uddingston`s 4-1 win over Dundee Wanderers ensures that the Lanarkshire side retains their sixth place – in fact there are now four teams on ten points at the end of the day – Western Wildcats, Edinburgh University, ESM Lions and Uddingston.  There`s certainly competition to put pressure on Watsonians and Grange above them in the top six struggle.

Angus Sinclair, Finn Halliday, Jedd Campbell and Ben Young were on target for Uddingston while Oscar Brown replies for Wanderers.

A hat-trick from Tyler Stagg was the catalyst that took Inverleith up from the bottom echelons of the table as they were 4-2 winners at St Andrews University who remain at the foot.  Captain Kyle Taylor got Inverleith`s other goal while Zak Wedgewood got both for the students.

In the women`s game of the day Clydesdale Western triumphed 5-1 over St Andrews University at Titwood.   The start was interesting as Charlotte Bosma put the students ahead in only 30 seconds.   But the upset failed to take root as a double from Jika Nyirenda and further strikes from Bronwyn Shields, Lara Tomkins and Ava Graham provided Clydesdale with a comfortable victory in the end.

There`s a bit of a log jam at the top of the women`s table with Watsonians, Edinburgh University and Clydesdale sitting on twelve points, and it is all decided by goal difference at the moment.

Watsonians top the pile after a six goal win over Aberdeen University – here there were two goals each for Ailsa Small and Sarah Jamieson while Katherine Holdgate and Jenna Park got the others.

A hat-trick from Cat Nelli was the foundation of Edinburgh University`s nine goal win over neighbours Inverleith. Also Jojo Muhl got two while the others came from Orla Millar, Dina Finn, Emily McLean and Sophia Donald.

Wildcats retained fifth place after seeing off Hillhead with four goals and no reply. Emma McDiarmid opened for the Cats at a penalty corner to be followed by a double from Olivia Finch, the first at a rebound from a set piece and then a reverse stick shot into the roof of the net.  A calm finish from Kate Holmes finished the scoring and the Cats are still very much in touch at the top.

Further down Grange jumped up the table to sixth after defeating Uddingston 4-1.   Jen Cain started Grange`s scoring with a fierce low drive, Eve Downie added a second with a deflection, that was followed by a direct strike from Alex Massey, and finished off with another deflection from Izzy Alexander.

GHK finally got off the foot of the table after a 2-0 win over Glasgow University, both goals came from Sophie Byrne.

 

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