A double header weekend for the women`s Premiership

There is a log jam at the top of the women`s Premiership – Watsonians, Clydesdale Western and Edinburgh University sit on twelve points with Wildcats and St Andrews University only two points adrift. However, there is nothing better than a double header weekend to unjam some of the logs.

And what better than Watsonians hosting Clydesdale on Sunday to whet the appetite – not that the game will decide the destiny of the title but it might give the winner a slight psychological advantage and put them to the top of the division at this early stage.

It is difficult to separate the relative strengths of these teams – last season they finished level on points with Watsonians taking the title on goal difference. Further, both sides have several Scotland players in their ranks, both have been rattling in the goals and not letting many in, and there is strength in depth in both squads. So what difference…and it is likely to come down to which side performs on the day…or perhaps a draw?

But before the showdown both have an earlier appointment on Saturday, and that might not be too easy. Watsonians travel to St Andrews to take on a student side that have made a promising start to the season, although last weekend they went down 5-1 to Clydesdale. Meanwhile the Titwood outfit head for Auchenhowie to take on the Cats who currently occupy fifth. The Cats have made a solid start to the season, unbeaten so far, but have they the same firepower as Clydesdale to cause a problem – time will tell here.

Whatever the Saturday outcome, Wildcats will certainly hope to pick up three points on their visit to Uddingston the following day.

The three matches mentioned above involve most of the sides in the log jam, so the outcomes here will go some way to clarifying the situation.

The exception here is second placed Edinburgh University who are not involved in the top-of-the-table dogfight, but could be the beneficiary if they can take the six points from their encounters against bottom side Aberdeen University and then Hillhead. The Edinburgh students are also rattling in the goals with Cat Nelli, Jojo Muhl and Dina Finn most prominent. Depending on results over the weekend and goal difference, it could be that Edinburgh will top the division on Sunday evening.

St Andrews are still in the mix but have an interesting outing on Sunday away to a GHK side that have yet to hit top form. Now that the Glasgow side have finally got off the mark with a two goal win over Glasgow University, Sophie Byrne getting both, that might act as a springboard to further victories and progress up the table.

Although we are a long way from the split the table is already taking that shape with a top five stretching their lead over the rest. However, Grange sit on six points and could go in either direction this weekend – that will depend on the outcome of their fixtures against GHK and Aberdeen University. Last weekend was a good result for the Edinburgh side, they went to Uddingston and came away with a 4-1 victory.

The remaining six sides sit on four points or less, and it is unlikely any of them will trouble the title aspirants this weekend. So it may well be left to the matches between themselves to see any progress up the table. On Saturday Glasgow University play Hillhead and Inverleith take on Uddingston while on Sunday Inverleith entertain Glasgow – here vital points will be claimed.

Is there any stopping the Watsonians bandwagon in the men`s Premiership? They five straight wins and barely a whiff of a reversal. On Saturday the league leaders travel to St Andrews to face up to the students who are struggling with life in the top flight.

So what of the chasing pack? Second placed Edinburgh University have a challenge at ESM Lions who occupy fifth place. But if the Lions are to have any chance of the three points they will have to get their claws into the students` not-so-secret weapon…Jamie Golden. To date he has scored 18 times in the team`s total of 32 both from open play and penalty corners – that is good shooting by any standards. The highlight being six against Inverleith but also notable was his hat-trick against Western Wildcats in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Success at hockey is always a team effort, but with such a lethal striker as Jamie Golden in the ranks, that can be a match winner.

Grange also have a tricky assignment at Bothwell Castle against a rejuvenated Uddingston who now seem well establish in the top six. Uddy`s unbeaten run has extended to four games with only a draw against Clydesdale the only dropped points, so Grange may have to dig deep to collect the three points here.

However, on the plus side, having lost several key players over the close season, Grange have regrouped and ground out four wins out of five outings and are very much in contention at the top.

Western Wildcats return to domestic duty against Dundee Wanderers after difficult results in Barcelona last weekend. But it is unlikely that the Taysiders will emulate Braxgata or Polo and it is envisaged Vishal Marwaha`s pack will come away from Dundee with the three points and maintain their title challenge. Wanderers would be foolish to bank on a European hangover in the Wildcats ranks.

After last weekend`s win over St Andrews, Inverleith have moved up the table to seventh, and that could be consolidated with another three points at home against a Grove Menzieshill side that have not played for a couple of weeks. The Taysiders will be disappointed so far with only one win in four and are skirting on the verge of the relegation zone.

Some concern must be growing in the Clydesdale ranks with only a single point from five games and second bottom spot. Perhaps Saturday is the time to turn things round as Hillhead are the callers. But then again Hillhead are also in need of points which would allow them to move out of the danger zone. This could be a close one.

 

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