Top flight Premiership action returns

With the men’s FIH World Cup Qualifier completed this weekend sees the commencement of the top six competition in the men`s Premiership.

A reminder of where we stand since November was where it left off.

It could hardly be tighter at the top as two points separate the top three – Edinburgh University and Watsonians sit on 28 points with Western Wildcats two adrift although with a game in hand against Grove Menzieshill. And Uddingston are not out of the equation, they are only three points further behind. However, ESM Lions have a bit to do and Grange even more so, but they could influence the outcome. There are five games left on the schedule, so every contest will be crucial.

Now the quest is for the Premiership league title and a place in the top four to qualify for the knock-out stages and European places.

On Saturday the Edinburgh students, leaders only on goal difference, have a hazardous trip to fourth placed Uddingston. Edinburgh finished the first part of the season on a high with four straight wins to occupy pole position. And that included a 5-1 home win over Uddingston, the chief architect was Jamie Golden with four and Keir Robb got the other.

So can Uddy dent the students growing confidence with a win in Lanarkshire? Uddy did finish the first part of the campaign with a bit of form – three victories in their last five games – but have they the firepower to dent Edinburgh`s progress – well, that`s another issue.

Uddingston have done well to make fourth in the table at the break. Asked if that fulfilled the season`s aspirations so far, coach Tom Hyndman replied. “Yes, fourth place fulfilled our aspirations for the split and we know we`re still in a building phase to be a top two team at the split in future seasons.”

So what about Edinburgh University on Saturday, Tom assessed: “We know what we`re up against versus University and the quality they have especially at set pieces, especially penalty corners.

“We`ve trained hard through the winter break so hoping it`ll be a closer game than previous.”

Watsonians have moved up to second after their 5-1 win over Dundee Wanderers in a recent catch-up fixture and only trail on goal difference. Although Saturday`s opponents ESM Lions have again consolidated their Premiership status, they will need to step up their game to halt Watsonians ambitions. For instance, last time out in October Sam Judge`s charges were comfortable four goal winners with strikes from Danny Cain (2), Charlie Jack and Guy Rowson.

Grange will face a challenge to blunt the claws of Western Wildcats at Auchenhowie, especially as they lost 5-1 at the end of November – but in the past this fixture has often defied the pundits.

Perhaps the key game in the lower competition is the basement clash between St Andrews University and Dundee Wanderers. The students looked dead and buried until their beat Hillhead for their first points, and a follow-up victory over Wanderers would close the gap to a single point. A run of defeats have left Wanderers very vulnerable on only seven points as their rivals Clydesdale and Inverleith both picked up points last weekend. So, in many respects this is a must-win occasion for the Dundonians, or relegation looms.

Inverleith left it late to share the points at Grove Menzieshill last Saturday and now have another chance to distance themselves further from the danger of relegation with a home match against Hillhead. They had a ding-dong tussle last time out with the Glasgow side winning by the odd goal in nine. It could be hard going for Inverleith as Hillhead sit at the top of the lower six and were not far from a place in the top echelons, and they are having a good run in the Scottish Cup.

Clydesdale are also moving away from the danger area and have the chance to distance themselves further with three points at home to Grove Menzieshill who are now only three points ahead of them.

St Andrews University v GHK could be in an intriguing tussle for the fourth spot in the women`s Premiership – there are only two points separating the sides and they clash on Saturday. GHK just edged the first encounter 2-1 with Lucy Williamson and Byrne on target, but this time the game is in St Andrews so the outcome may not be the same.

Hillhead are becoming a little detached at the bottom of the Premiership table, and Aberdeen University further detached, and it is difficult to see either bettering their position on Saturday – Hillhead are away to a Grange side that narrowly missed out on the top six while Aberdeen travel to face the Glasgow students who could take a giant leap to safety with a valuable three points.

Last weekend`s narrow win over Hillhead has eased the relegation pressure on Inverleith but they might find the points more difficult to grasp away to Uddingston.

There are a few Scottish Cup quarter-final ties to savour on Sunday, especially the all-Edinburgh tie between University and Grange at Peffermill. The students triumphed 5-2 in the Premiership fixture, however, it was only two each at the interval in an even contest but a double from Jamie Golden and one from Ollie Wilson confirmed the win.

The men`s second tier are guaranteed a presence in the semi-final draw, and it will be the winner of the tie involving Glasgow University and Perthshire.

The women`s quarter-final brings GHK and Grange together in Glasgow. Both sides finished the first part of the campaign on fairly good form with GHK making the top six and Grange narrowly missing out. The Glasgow side won the league clash 4-1 with top scorer Lucy Williamson bagging a couple with Sophie Byrne and Hanna McKie getting the others.

 

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top