Grange and Watsonians till hold sway but interesting results elsewhere

Grange extended their lead at the top of the men`s Premiership to six points as second placed Edinburgh University came a cropper at Watsonians. In the women`s Premiership Watsonians extended their lead to three points as Wildcats lost their first game of the season to Edinburgh University, who share third spot with Grange.

On a breezy Friday evening in Edinburgh it was Inverleith who were blown away 6-0 by a clinical Grange side, a result that gave Premiership holders a six point lead at the top – at least until Saturday.

Martin Shepherdson, the Grange manager, said: “This was a comfortable victory, we dominated and created lots of chances. I was pleased with this performance, the team is building up nicely.”

Grange were two up at the interval through an early penalty corner strike by Dylan Bean followed by an open play goal from Alan Johnston. Goals continued to flow in the second half started off by ex-Watsonians Calum Wood, Robbie Croll bagged a couple and Aidan McQuade also scored at a penalty corner.

Grange`s six point advantage continued into Saturday when second placed Edinburgh University were beaten 3-1 by Watsonians.

The catalyst for the victory was set piece expert Dan Coultas who scored all three goals for Watsonians, Keir Robb got the students only reply. Although Edinburgh now trail Grange by that six points they do have a game in hand to reduce the deficit.

The result only reflected Watsonians recovery after a rather slow start to the campaign – they are now firmly planted in fourth place.

In the meantime Western Wildcats kept up their challenge from third spot with a 3-1 win at Uddingston. Fraser Moran put the Wildcats ahead at a penalty corner only for Louis Gardner to level for the home side. Another set piece conversion by Moran put the Wildcats 2-1 ahead and in the second half an open play goal from Callum Duke sealed the points for the visitors.

Photo by Mark Pugh

In the only other game played Hillhead recorded their third win in a row with a 3-2 win over Grove Menzieshill and that pushed them up to fifth in the table. A Graeme Campbell cross was deflected into the net by a diving Matt Carder for the opener but Cameron Paton replied for the Taysiders with a close range finish. Hillhead moved into a 3-1 lead in the second half through two spot conversions by Graeme Campbell won by the efforts of Andrew Sinclair and Ruari Thomson respectively. A penalty corner deflection by Luke Cranney pulled the score back to 3-2 but the Glasgow side held on for the three points.

In the women`s Premiership – who is going to stop relentless progress of champions Watsonians?

Certainly not Uddingston who went down 11-0, courtesy of four goals each for Emily Dark and Sarah Jamieson, Katherine Holdgate got two and Katie MacCallum the other. Keith Smith`s charges are now three points ahead of Wildcats and five ahead of Grange and Edinburgh University.

Wildcats had their claws clipped by Edinburgh University in the game of the day at Auchenhowie – they went down 4-0 to goals from Ava Smith, Sophie Hinds, Katie Brett and Jika Nyirenda.

Wildcats player/manager Kaz Cuthbert summed up the occasion as “a really poor day at the office for the Cats and Uni played well.”

But the Edinburgh students are still in fourth place on goal difference as Grange were 2-1 winners of Glasgow University. Rachel Shiel and Kirsten Turnbull were on target for Grange who still remain the surprise packet of the season. Cesca Lang scored Glasgow`s goal from a penalty corner.

Clydesdale Western continue their progress up the table to fifth on goal difference from Uddingston after a 3-0 away win at Hillhead who still remain pointless after four games. Captain Laura Paul was on target along with a double from Millie Steiger.

At the other end of the table GHK moved up to seventh with a 4-0 win over St Andrews University – their first of the season. The Glasgow side were two up at the interval, Fiona Semple from the penalty spot and then Ellie Hutcheson from open play. Lucy Williamson added to the GHK tally in the second half, the first following a scramble in the circle and then a strike from the top of the circle.

GHK captain Carly Bisset remarked that it was a better performance from her squad but also paid tribute to St Andrews keeper Jess Mitchell who had a great game and made several crucial saves.

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