Favourites are Still in Control in the Premierships

There is not much change at the top of the Premierships. In the Open/Men’s, Western Wildcats have opened up a little bit of a gap, while in the Women’s, Watsonians and Clydesdale Western have opened up a bit more of a gap at the top.

At Bothwell Castle it was honours even as Uddingston and Edinburgh University settled for a 1-1 draw in the top of the table clash.

Edinburgh’s Martin Beckford remarked:  “We had seven changes from the group that played in the EHL due to injuries and availability, and University had the majority of the play.”

The students drew first blood with a penalty corner conversion by Sam Hunt, but in the final quarter Uddy’s Jedd Campbell levelled, also from a set piece. Yet the champions had a belated chance to take the full points with an overtime penalty corner, and then a re-award, but the Uddy defence successfully held out for a share of the spoils.

Uddingston’s Gordon Moore reflected: “Disappointed to come away with a draw, but we retain the undefeated status so happy with that.”

In the meantime, Western Wildcats took advantage with another 6-0 win, this time over Grove Menzieshill, to consolidate their position at the top of the table. Two goals in three minutes from Cammy Moran started the road to victory in the first half. The goals continued to flow after the interval through Ben McClellan and Adam Mackenzie to be followed by a brace in as many minutes by Fraser Moran, all from open play.

A hat-trick of hat-tricks is the accolade for Watsonians Charlie Jack in the 3-1 defeat of Clydesdale, and that result keeps the Edinburgh side in third place with a game in hand, and still very much in contention. Luke Bannerman replied for the Titwood side who just about hold on to a top six spot.

ESM Lions are quietly climbing to the top of the table, and this time they were 2-0 winners over Kelburne. After a goalless first half Jamie Hogarth broke the deadlock with an opportunist goal, and the points were sealed with a further strike from Jack Collister.

Inverleith continued to progress up the table with a 4-1 win at Dunfermline Carnegie. Will James, Stuart Hatton, Mati Ruiz and Kyle Taylor were on target for the away side while Ollie Hobdell got the Fifers’ consolation.

Grange got their first point of the season with a 3-3 draw at Hillhead who got their third draw of the campaign. Grange opened through Kyle Reid, a penalty corner from Euan Menzies equalised for Hillhead, only for only for Albert Rowling to restore Grange’s lead from another set piece which went off a defender into the roof of the net. In the second half Hillhead scored two more penalty corners through Menzies again and Fraser Ward to go 3-2 ahead. With four minutes left Grange equalised through another strike from Reid for a 3-3 finish. Hillhead had two late penalty corner opportunities to take the points, but no goal ensued.

Watsonians and Clydesdale Western seem to be having a league of their own as they are several points ahead of the chasing pack after only a few games while the rest follow.

Watsonians faced an Edinburgh University side that once challenged for honours but instead emerged with a comfortable seven goal victory, and that without reply. Sarah Jamieson was again to the fore with a double and the other goals came from Katie Brett, Emily Dark, Fiona Burnet, Tabitha Peck and Katherine Holdgate. They top the table on goal difference.

And that despite Clydesdale Western’s twelve goal crushing of Glasgow University.  Here there were hat-tricks for Jenny Eadie and Ciara Forgie and a double for Jika Nyirenda, the rest were singles.

Perhaps predictably Grange and GHK fought out a 1-1 draw in their quest for a top six spot. Lucy Williamson scored for the Glasgow side while Jess Ross Martin was Grange’s scorer.

St Andrews University also moved up into the top six with a 2-0 win over a Hillhead side that were missing seven players. On target for the students were Hannah Coull and Ella Wareham.

Finally, Western Wildcats got off the mark with a point from the 1-1 draw with Uddingston at Auchenhowie. Lucy Sillars scored for the Cats while Chloe Barton replied for Uddy.

 

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top