Edinburgh University are Men`s Premiership champions for the first time

For several seasons now Edinburgh University have come close to the Premiership title but no final outcome – but the students finally made it with a 2-1 win at Auchenhowie over nearest rivals Western Wildcats.  They are now nine points ahead and are uncatchable, so they take the title and a place in Europe next season.

So this was the reaction of coach Neil Allan, “We’re delighted to win the league, just reward for the boys hard work over the last 24 months.

“We knew if we won all our games in the top six it was in our hands, and it`s very pleasing to do it with a game to spare.  Obviously we have some big games coming up to try to retain the cup, and then the European play-offs.

“We have come a long way, and there is a lot more to come from the squad.

“Western were outstanding today and really tested us, the boys showed massive maturity and defensive resilience to weather the storm, and we were clinical in attack.”

Wildcats took the lead in the first quarter with a Fraser Moran penalty corner but two minutes before half-time Jamie Golden levelled for the students from the penalty spot. The crucial winner came in the final quarter with an open play goal from Kyle Flockhart. And the title went to Edinburgh University.

Meanwhile at Bothwell Castle Uddingston huffed and puffed and spurned several good chances but it was the more lethal Watsonians who took the three points with a 3-2 win. Although Watsonians are no longer in the quest for the Premiership title it is encouraging that they recorded a win before their initial venture into Europe next weekend.

The Edinburgh side were two up at half-time through a double from Charlie Jack, the first a close range smash into the net while the other came from the penalty spot. Three minutes into the second half Uddy pulled one back when a Jedd Campbell penalty corner flick was diverted into the roof of the net by Max Strachan. In the final quarter Watsonians restored their two goal advantage through a Dan Coultas set piece strike. Angus Sinclair pulled the score back to 3-2 at another penalty corner but it was not enough to rescue a share of the points.

Watsonians slipped into second spot in the table but Uddingston`s top four place is now in jeopardy after today`s defeat as rivals ESM Lions were 4-2 winners over Grange.  The sides are level on 25 points with the Lions slightly ahead on goal difference – all to play for.

In the quest for a top four spot ESM Lions roared into the contest with Grange and were three up at the interval, Cameron Ede converted a penalty corner in the opening minutes, followed by a well-worked finish from Jamie Hogarth, and then another set piece strike from Ede.  Grange came more into the contest in the second half with goals from Sion Ewing and Livio Belotti but a back post goal from Jack Collister ensured that the Lions took the three points.

At the bottom end Dundee Wanderers rescued the relegation play-off spot with a single goal win over Tayside rivals Grove Menzieshill, Callum Ross was the sole striker.

Inverleith confirmed St Andrews University`s automatic relegation with a 6-1 home win, Zak Turtle got a hat-trick and the other goals came from Ben Turtle, Kaze Cordero and Andrew Clark,. Murdo Macdonald got the student`s consolation.

Meanwhile, Clydesdale`s recent revival continues to florish with a 3-2 win at Hillhead, and the Titwood side take over top spot in the lower six on goal difference. The Dale`s scorers were a double from Kyle Bannerman and Jack Nairn got the other.  For Hillhead Ewan Campbell rolled the ball into the bottom corner for an early lead, then Matt Carder levelled at 2-2 with a shot into the roof of the net, but it was the Dale who took the three points.

In the women`s Premiership there seems no stopping Watsonians, this time they thumped St Andrews University 7-0 to retain top spot and their perfect record.  Tabitha Peck was top scorer with a hat-trick while Jenna Park, Katherine Holdgate, Cailin Hart and Sarah Jamieson were also on target.

But Clydesdale Western are still hanging in there with a 3-1 win at GHK.   Jenny Eadie, Ava Graham and Ciari Forgie struck for Clydesdale while Lucy Williamson got GHK`s only goal.

The race for the other two top four spots for the knock-out stages has moved on, Edinburgh University`s 3-0 win over Wildcats has pushed the students into third spot.   They are now two points ahead of GHK in fourth and a further six beyond St Andrews – but it is still all to play for.

Dina Finn opened for the Edinburgh students with a shot from the top of the circle followed by Emily Morris firing home a penalty corner strike that deflected off a defender.  The third came from Cat Nelli from the penalty spot to complete the convincing win.

In the lower echelons Hillhead are consigned to the relegation play-off after going down 4-0 to Uddingston.  Meanwhile Inverleith picked up another three points after seeing off bottom side Aberdeen University by 5-2.   Amelia Wilson grabbed a couple for Inverleith while the other goals came from Hannah Law, Rosie Charlton and Eva Dodge.   Not a bad effort from the Edinburgh side as they came back from being 2-1 down at one stage.

Grange remain top of the lower pool after a 5-1 win over Glasgow University, there was a double for Marianna Maclean while Rachel Shiel, Freya Philip and Ann Njoroge got the others.

 

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top