An exciting day of hockey on day 1 of this weekend’s Premiership double header

A day of no real shocks – top sides Grange and Western Wildcats in the men`s Premiership and women`s Watsonians and Edinburgh University all emerged with comfortable victories.

Auchenhowie was the venue for the first Friday evening game of the season and Wildcats entertained their supporters with a stirring 7-1 win over neighbours Hillhead in the women`s Premiership.

The first half was heading for a goalless outcome until Wildcats were awarded a penalty and Kate Holmes sunk the spot effort for a narrow interval lead.

In the third quarter the Wildcats ripped open the Hillhead defence and Kaz Cuthbert, Lexi Sabatelli, Lucy Findlay and Alex Stuart piled in four goals for a comfortable lead. Holmes and Sabatelli added to the Cats` tally in the final quarter, Hillhead`s consolation came from a penalty corner deflection by Carla MacNiven.

After the game Hillhead`s Jenny Sinclair admitted: “A shaky third quarter led to a lot of goals conceded so lots to learn from this for future games.”

Premiership champions Grange were 4-2 winners at Uddingston, and the game was effectively over in 23 minutes by which time Dylan Bean at a penalty corner, Joe Waterston, Jamie Green and Aidan McQuade had all found the home net. However, the goal glut dried up and Uddingston came back into the contest, Joe Russell pulling one back at a penalty corner follow-up before the interval. There was no further scoring until the closing action when Finn Halliday converted from the spot for Uddingston – but by then too little too late.

Western Wildcats finished the game against ESM at Auchenhowie winning 5-2, but it was not always plain sailing. Jack MacKenzie gave the Wildcats an early advantage, but by the third quarter the Edinburgh side have taken a 2-1 lead, Jack Collister from the spot and Paddy Crookshanks at a penalty corner did the damage. However, normal service was resumed with a double from Jonny Christie, MacKenzie got another and Fraser Moran completed the scoring at an overtime penalty corner.

Clydesdale have make an early mark on the Premiership, they followed up their win over Uddingston last weekend with a 2-1 triumph away to Watsonians, Ian King and Andrew McAllan were on target for the Titwood side.

Edinburgh University, third last year, have also made an immediate impact with a formidable 4-0 win over Grove Menzieshill, player/coach Hamish Imrie was on target along with Andrew Lobb, Alex Wilson and Sam Hunt.

Perhaps the personality of the day goes to Inverleith`s Charlie Jack, he scored all four goals from penalty corners to see off Kelburne 4-1 at Glasgow Green. Inverleith captain Kyle Taylor relished on the occasion, he said: “Very happy with the result and to get our first three points on the board. We could have been a bit more clinical in the circle but that will come as the season progresses. Now to take the positives into tomorrow and hopefully make it a six point weekend.”

Kelburne`s consolation came from Connor Bain.

Newly promoted Dundee Wanderers also relished their first three points in the Premiership with a home 4-1 win over Hillhead. It was 1-1 at half-time, Bobby Ralph opened for the Taysiders with a reverse shot while Murray Ross replied for the Glasgow side at a penalty corner rebound. But the second half belonged to the Dundonians with further goals from Oscar Brown and a Callum Ross double.

Women`s champions Watsonians were in fine form with a 14-0 win over visiting Gordonians. In the avalanche there were hat-tricks for Sarah Jamieson and Milly Berndes-Cade, Katie MacCallum and Katherine Holdgate got two each and there sere singles for Ailsa Small, Emily Dark, Mairi Drummond and Jess Gordon.

Edinburgh University`s initial Premiership outing was also fairly conclusive, Sam Judge`s students were 6-1 winners at Uddingston, there were doubles for Jika Nyirenda and Ava Smith while Sophie Hinds and Zara Kennedy were also scorers.

St Andrews University`s baptism in the Premiership was memorable as they were 2-0 winners against the Glasgow students, Maura Holden and Ailise Milroy were the scorers. A delighted coach Jamie Carnegie said: “Great first game in the Premiership. Players did really well and competed throughout the game. We had to absorb a lot of pressure for periods of time and defended penalty corners well.”

In the other games, Clydesdale Western were 1-0 winners at Grange while GHK could only draw 1-1 at home to Inverleith with Laura McCabe getting the GHK goal. GHK captain Carly Bisset said: “We had lot of chances but couldn`t convert – extremely frustrating.”

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