Little change at the top of the Premiership but relegation a little clearer

The clocks may have changed this weekend but Grange`s hold on the leadership of the men`s Premiership remains fixed in time after a 8-2 swamping of Inverleith.

There was a procession of goals in the opening 22 minutes started and finished by Joe Waterston, and in between Albert Rowling scored a penalty corner to be followed by Duncan Riddell and Dylan Bean for a convincing five goal lead. Then just before half time there was a three minute lapse which allowed Derek Salmond and Charlie Jack at a set piece to reduce the deficit to 5-2.

Any suggestion of a comeback proved transient as Jacob Tweedie and Bean again advanced the score to 7-2 in the third quarter. Tweedie completed the scoring in the final quarter and Grange`s unbeaten run continues relentlessly.

Once again Andrew McConnell was the catalyst that allowed Western to keep the pressure on Grange with a convincing 5-1 victory over Watsonians – he scored four goals, including a first half hat-trick. McConnell scored again in the second half along with Rob Harwood to put the Auchenhowie side five up before Ben Scott deflected a Dan Coultas penalty corner strike into the net off a Western defender for a consolation.

Edinburgh University have recovered their composure to make third spot their own with a 2-1 win over Clydesdale at Peffermill. Robbie Croll and Tom Cahalin were on target for the students while Ethan Robertson replied for Clydesdale.

The result leaves Clydesdale and Watsonians to scrap over the final semi-final spot over the remaining two games.

ESM`s Houdini act from the Premiership`s relegation zone appears to be gathering momentum with today`s 2-1 win over Uddingston in a game their captain Jack Collister described das “a tight game with few opportunities for either team.”

But Collister certainly led from the front with ESM`s two goals after Jonny McDonald had put Uddingston ahead. Soon after Andy McCutcheon slid the ball across the circle for Collister to tap in at the far post. As the game was drifting to a draw with five minutes left ESM were awarded a penalty and Collister calmly converted.

However Dunfermline Carnegie`s cause seems somewhat challenging, after losing 2-1 to Kelburne the Fifers now need to win both their remaining games and hope the other results go their way to avoid the relegation play-off spot. Sam Hunt and Scott Peters scored for Kelburne who can now rest easy with twelve points.

With Watsonians game against Glasgow University postponed, second placed Edinburgh University took full advantage and drew level on points at the top after a narrow 2-1 victory over a determined GHK. Jika Nyirenda and Amy Brodie got the goals for the students while Fiona Semple replied from the spot for the Glasgow side.

Wildcats seem to have made third spot their own after a 3-1 win over Clydesdale Western added a fourth game to their unbeaten run. In the first quarter Lucy Findlay opened with an unstoppable shot, and that was followed by a well executed set piece routine finished off by Alex Stuart to double their tally. However, before the interval Emma McGregor pulled one back for Clydesdale – and game on.

The only goal of the second half came in the fourth quarter when another penalty corner routine was again finished off by Alex Stuart to complete the scoring.

Inverleith`s survival cause took a it as they went down 3-1 to Uddingston, they are fixed in the relegation play-off zone, five points behind Gordonians with only two games left. Caterina Nelli scored twice for the Lanarkshire side while Saskia Wade got the other. Inverleith`s reply came from a penalty corner deflection by Jennifer Tait.

Gordonians also failed to win today, going down 7-2 to Grange, and are not out of the woods yet – however, they are five points ahead of second bottom Inverleith. Top scorer was Marissa McLean with four while Heather Croll got a double and Grange`s other scorer was Marianna McLean. Gordonians replies came from Heather Howie and Isabella Jones. Gordonians` consolations came from Heather Howie and Isabella Jones.

Dundee Wanderers` cause certainly does look challenging with only a single point – they could just catch Inverleith above them but will need a change in fortune. However, they came to Hillhead and only went down 3-2 in the end. In fact, Isla McRobbie put them ahead at a penalty corner but by half-time the Glasgow side were 2-1 up through Mhari Low and Ciara Goddard whose strong push forced the ball over the line.

Wanderers were back level in the second half through Ellen Irwin but Hillhead`s winner came when a cross from Alex Burdon was volleyed into the net by Emma Blachstock for the winner.

Games postponed today for various reasons were Hillhead v Monarchs (men), Watsonians v Glasgow University (women).

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