Final day drama as Edinburgh University crowned National League 1 champions

In the final scheduled day of National League 1, Edinburgh University won the women`s title while Grange, already champions, lost their unbeaten record, and other placings were also settled.

Edinburgh University won their fifth consecutive women`s National League 1 crown in some style with a 9-1 win over Hillhead. Hanna McKie was top scorer with four, there were two each for Zara Malseed and Amy Brodie while Bridie Marlow got the other.

Photo by Terry Morgan

Challenger Clydesdale Western fell out of the title race when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Dundee Wanderers. It looked promising for Western when Jen Eadie put them ahead in the opening exchanges, but by the interval Sophia Free had levelled after some slack defending. Wanderers were now in the ascendancy and it was left to Scotland striker Charlotte Watson to provide the winner.

Western Wildcats finished in fourth place after a 2-1 win over Watsonians. A penalty corner deflection by Lucy Lanigan gave the Edinburgh side a slender first half lead. Western Wildcats clawed their way back into the contest with second half strikes by Molly Godfrey and Erin Stevens, it might have been more but for several good saves by Lucy Camlin in the Watsonians goal.

Grove Menzieshill finished in sixth place, two points behind Watsonians, after an eight goal victory over Grange. Katie Stott scored twice while the rest were individual strikes.

Grange lost their unbeaten record in the men`s National League 1 after going down 1-0 to Grove Menzieshill on Tayside. Jamie Golden got the only goal of the contest with a tennis-style lob over the keeper towards the end of the first half. Grange, who have already won the league title, might have saved the occasion but Dan Coultas missed from the spot with two minutes left.

Photo by Steve Forrest

Grove Menzieshill now finish in second spot, a point ahead of Western Wildcats who beat Watsonians in a 6-5 thriller. In the latter contest Western Wildcats romped into a three goal lead – Hamish Galt opened at a penalty corner, Fraser Calder added a second, while in a bizarre third Adam McKenzie meandered from the right back position to guide the ball home at the left hand back post. Ben Allen pulled one back for Watsonians before the interval.

In the second half Fraser Moran, Calder again and Andrew McConnell added to the Wildcats` tally while Ali Dougal, Jamie Cochrane twice from the spot and David Clarke replied for the Edinburgh side.

Uddingston perhaps believed they had squandered their chance of finishing in the top four when they went down 3-2 to Kelburne. Ben Carroll and Brad Hughes were on target for the Lanarkshire side but a double from Jack McKenzie and another by Corey Duff sealed the points for the Paisley outfit.

However, relief was at hand when rivals Edinburgh University were held to a 4-4 draw by Hillhead, and consequently fall out of the race for fourth place. Hillhead raced into a three goal half-time lead through Michael Sherry at a penalty corner, Graeme Campbell and Matt McIntyre.

But back came the students and strikes from Matt Taylor from the spot, Costas Stylianou, Ian Moodie and Jack Jamieson put them back into contention. In the final analysis it took an overtime penalty corner conversion from Fraser Ward to level the score and frustrate the students` aspirations. There is certainly a thin dividing line between success and disappointment.

The other big score of the day was at Titwood where Clydesdale beat Gordonians 10-1.

Final tickets on sale now! Use these ticket links in the pages below to donate 50% of the ticket value to your club or the Beatson Cancer Charity

Grand Finals

Men’s Scottish Cup Finals

Women’s Scottish Cup Finals

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