Now the Women Start their Premiership Campaign

Last season’s Premiership ended in a straight tussle between Watsonians and Clydesdale Western in which the former triumphed by three points after a 2-2 draw at Titwood in the final encounter. However, the Glasgow side finished stronger in the end by winning the top European spot after a 2-1 win over Watsonians with player/coach Fiona Semple bagging the winner.

Unfortunately, the other top six sides – Edinburgh University, GHK, St Andrews University and Wildcats – all trailed in the wake.

So, will any of that change this coming season?

One change is already clear, with the withdrawal of Inverleith the league will only consist of eleven teams, so each side will have a weekend off and this weekend it’s Hillhead.

To start with, there may be a new addition to the top six in Grange, still under coach Sean Hadfield. The Edinburgh side were within a whisker of doing so last season, they missed out on goal difference to Wildcats after both finished on 16 points.

This is what captain Heather Croll had to say. “Yeah, we are really looking forward to this season and are currently enjoying a successful pre-season. A top 6 finish would be our ultimate goal, but we will have to see how the season goes.”

If the number of new signings is anything to go by, then Grange is in with a shout. Scotland player Jessica Ross Martin joins from Edinburgh University, also Wildcats captain Mhairi McGregor along with a host of others including Verity Shields, Hannah Law, Emily Widdowson, Amelia Tait while Kirstie Buchan, Kate Bole and Skye Waugh return to Grange from University.

Heather commented: “We are also really happy with all our new recruits and hopefully they enjoy their time at Grange!”

However, there are also outgoings like Jen Cain, Marianna MacLean and Jojo Hirst to Edinburgh University, Eve Downie goes to London and Molly Davis to New Zealand.

Grange start their campaign in Aberdeen against newly promoted Gordonians – an early three points would be just the tonic for the Edinburgh side!

So, what about this season’s title race. Well, there have been so many changes in personnel is all the top sides that it can only be speculation at this stage.

Clydesdale Western under coach Fiona Semple finished the strongest last season and now seem to have added substantially to their squad. There is the return of Cara McAllister and Heather O`Brien, Rhiannon Carr comes back after missing the second half of last season, Laura Paul is back while Emma Tennant joins from GHK. In a balance, striker Ava Graham goes to Loughborough while Annabell Ballantyne has stopped playing and there are others departing.

There will be an early test of Clydesdale’s resolve on Saturday as they entertain an Edinburgh University side that finished in third spot last season.

The Edinburgh students certainly finished third but a bit adrift of the top after four draws and the same defeats in their 16 games. Jen Cain, Eva Hodge and Izzy Hogarth have joined, although to balance Harriett Bradley, Jess Ross, Harriett Platt and Sophia Donald have departed.

But will Watsonians, under coach Keith Smith, be the dominant force they have been over the past few years? It is reported that David Stott and assistant Bill Robson will be the coaching team and Amy Grassom joins from Birmingham University. But they have lost some key players in Ailsa Small, Bex Jones, Cailin Hart, Lucy Camlin and Jenna Park.

Watsonians are at home to Wildcats in their opening outing, which can be a testing encounter.

GHK had another solid season, coming fourth and only two points behind Edinburgh University. A few changes here under coach Steven Hughes, in are Christy Porter and Olivia McKnight returns but Adie Murray, Beth Campbell and Tamila Matchett depart. They open on Saturday against a Glasgow University side that finished ninth last season. The students have not yet confirmed any new signings but did announce that they will not have Lucy Sillars, Imogen Shields and Amber Wade.

St Andrews University are away to Uddingston in a bid to retain their top six status. Head coach Jamie Carnegie announced a fairly massive turn-round of players including twelve newcomers with Amelia Leitch and Joanna Hirst from Edinburgh HC and Grange respectively, both in this summer’s Scotland Aspiring squad, along with Emma Tran from Michigan being highlighted. The nine departures included Kelly Smith to Surbiton, Jess Mitchell goes to London and Siena Keijsers will now turn out for Teddington. With this volume of change, it’s anyone’s guess how this will affect St Andrews form this season.

So, who else might be challenging for a top six spot this season, from last season’s form it is likely to be Grange, Uddingston and Glasgow University, but time will tell.

The Open/Men’s competition started last weekend and the top four from the previous season – that is, Edinburgh University, Western Wildcats, Watsonians and Uddingston – all had convincing scorelines to open their account.

Champions Edinburgh University take on a Grange side that could still be in transition mode if their 5-2 defeat at the hands of Clydesdale is anything to go by.  The students took a bit of time to get going against ESM last weekend, but when Jamie Golden entered the fray with his four goals there was only one winner. So, on Saturday Grange will try not to suffer a similar fate.

It was meant to be Grange’s home game but it is now at Peffermill at University`s request as they are celebrating a 125 year anniversary.

Western Wildcats host Kelburne at Auchenhowie. Certainly, the Paisley outfit have not had the easiest of starts in their return to the top flight – Watsonians and now Western Wildcats.

Watsonians are at home to Inverleith on Saturday and will aim for a home win, especially if Charlie Jack continues his scoring form that resulted in a hat-trick last week.

And so, to Uddingston who entertain Grove Menzieshill at Bothwell Castle. This could be a closer affair as the Taysiders picked up their first point in a draw with Hillhead last weekend. However, early days, but it looks as if Uddy are going to continue their good form of last season if their opening result is an indicator.

However, it was Clydesdale who caught the eye last weekend, they galloped to a convincing four goal lead over Grange and triumphed 5-2 in the end.  Early doors of course, and an away trip across Glasgow to take on Hillhead could reveal if the bid for a top six place is real or illusory. Hillhead started their campaign with a draw at Grove Menzieshill in a game that they had the better chances to grasp the three points – so this might not be an easy encounter for Harry Dunlop’s charges.  It’s been a while since the Dale have reached the top bracket.

ESM Lions were perhaps not expected to see off Edinburgh University last weekend, but they did compete for the first half, only to fall to Jamie Golden’s lethal touch. An easier assignment on Saturday at home to Dunfermline Carnegie en route to another top six placing.

 

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