All will be settled on the Premiership`s final day

We have reached the denouement of this season`s Premiership campaigns, most of the issues have already been decided, but a few remain outstanding.

And none more so that the destiny of the women`s title. Unbeaten Watsonians rule the roost, but they are only three points ahead of Clydesdale Western and the sides meet on Saturday at Titwood to decide the outcome. That is assuming that neither side drop points on Wednesday`s midweek fixtures where Watsonians face Wildcats and Clydesdale take on Edinburgh University.

So assuming that, Watsonians only need to avoid defeat at Titwood to retain the title – that is clear.   Equally, Clydesdale need to win to have any chance and it may then come down to goal difference as was the case last season. And as it stands, Clydesdale enjoy a slim seven goal lead. Intriguing!

The outcome of the head to head could again be a close affair. Back in October Watsonians were 2-1 winners in Edinburgh, Ailsa Small opened for Watsonians, Fiona Semple levelled with a deflection, but the winner came from a penalty corner strike by Emily Dark.

Some said that a draw would not have been unfair – however, it`s goals that count.

Also important is GHK`s home match against Edinburgh University – with third place the carrot.   As it stands, the Edinburgh students have a two point lead and if that remains by Saturday it would be winner take all…or rather third place.  Early in the season the students won 3-0, Katie Brett, Dina Finn and Cat Nelli getting the goals, but the Glasgow side have shown much improvement since then.   So the affair in Glasgow could be much closer now.

The final upper tier match is between St Andrews University and Wildcats – with just pride at stake.

The lower pool relegation issues are all solved – Aberdeen University return to the second tier while Hillhead are in the play-offs – and they meet in the north-east on Saturday. So the other games see Grange entertain Uddingston at the top of the lower table while Glasgow University host Inverleith for the mid-table positions.

So what has still to be decided in the men`s Premiership on the final day? Not very much.

Edinburgh University have the Premiership title for the first time, Watsonians and Western Wildcats join the students in the top four play-offs for European places, and at the other end St Andrews University slip back to the second tier while Dundee Wanderers top flight destiny will be decided in the relegation play-off.

The only live issue is fourth place…a direct contest between ESM Lions and Uddingston, and it`s neck and neck. Both are on 25 points but the Lions occupy fourth spot at the moment by a whisker – that is a goal difference of two.

Uddy looked to be in the driving seat but last weekend went down 3-2 to Watsonians while ESM were 4-2 winners over Grange…and it was back in the melting pot.

So it goes down to the final game. Uddy are away to Grange, a side they beat 3-1 at Bothwell Castle with Angus Sinclair, Finn Halliday from the spot, and Matt Young on target.  While Grange`s recent results have generally been a little disappointing, they can relax on Saturday with the pressure all on Uddy.

ESM travel to Auchenhowie to face Western Wildcats and that could be a tough experience.  Wildcats triumphed 3-1 in the first encounter in November and a similar outcome would not be helpful to the Edinburgh side.

The bottom pool in the Premiership is done and dusted – the only issue of pride that remains is which side finishes top of the pile. Clydesdale and Hillhead share 17 points – and the Dale are away to Inverleith while Hillhead travel to Tayside to face second bottom Dundee Wanderers.  If both win Clydesdale`s less negative goal difference could be the deciding factor.

Grove Menzieshill are also in with a shout, two back on 15 points and could overtake both if they can see off St Andrews University in their final encounter.

 

WOMEN`S PREMIERSHIP – MIDWEEK ACTION

Midweek action could have altered the apex of the women`s Premiership, but in reality the status quo was maintained. Both challengers for the title Watsonians and Clydesdale Western won by the same goal margin – so the Edinburgh side remain three points ahead but Clydesdale still have that superior goal difference going into Saturday`s decider.

Jenny Eadie is once again in goal scoring form with a brace in Clydesdale Western`s 3-0 win at third placed Edinburgh University on Wednesday evening.  The other goal came from Jika Nyirenda. The result propelled the Glasgow side to the top of the Premiership, level on points with Watsonians and with a better goal difference, but the champions still have a game in hand at Wildcats to resume pole position.

Watsonians were always in front at Auchenhowie with a 5-2 win over Wildcats, here there were two goals each for Sarah Jamieson and Fiona Burnet while Milly Berndes-Cade got the other. It was only in the final quarter that the Cats came to life, but by then they were four down, as Rachel Bain scored with a tap in and Alex Stuart got the other – but much too late by then.

 

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