No change at the top of the open/men`s or women`s Premiership

There was little change at the top of the open/men`s Premiership with Western Wildcats still top of the tree and certainly not in the women`s competition as both Watsonians and Azets Clydesdale Western reached double figures.

At Bothwell Castle the top of the table clash between Uddingston and ESM Lions could have gone either way…but in the end it went neither way, finishing in a 2-2 draw.   The result keeps both sides impressive run of results going…but it was Western Wildcats who ultimately benefitted as their lead at the top of the men`s Premiership was extended to five points.

The Lions roared first, in only four minutes some confusion in the Uddy defence allowed the ball to reach Livio Belotti in the circle and his reverse stick shot flew into the net off the far post.  Not the start Uddy were looking for.   But in the second quarter the home side struck back, first Euan Gilmour hit a post, then the same player delivered a stunning equaliser when he found space in the circle and flicked the ball into the roof of the net.     And that was half-time.

Uddy looked to have taken the lead but their penalty corner effort was saved on the line, minutes later they did have the ball in the net but was disallowed by the umpire.   Almost immediately after the play gravitated to the other end and the Lions Cameron Ede slammed a direct shot at a penalty corner past the Uddy defence for a 2-1 lead.   The final quarter got a bit fraught at times and three yellow cards were the result.   But Uddy were not to be denied, coach Tom Hyndman took the gamble of replacing his keeper with an additional outfield player…and it paid off.    With three minutes left Euan Gilmour levelled for the second time.     Those involved will doubtless argue that their side should have sneaked it…but a draw was probably a fair outcome.

Western Wildcats duly picked up their next three points with a 2-1 win at Grange…and so the unbeaten run continues.   Although Grange finally lost the game the young shoots of recovery are still evident nonetheless.   Wildcats were a goal to the good by the interval with a penalty corner rebound strike from Cameron Weir.  The outcome was effectively sealed following an illegal stick tackle by the Grange keeper was punished when Adam Mackenzie converted from the spot to double the tally.   However, Grange did get a late consolation with a deflection by Murray Banks at an overtime penalty corner flew into the net off the bar.

Charlie Jack scored his fourth hat-trick of the season as Watsonians were 3-1 winners at Hillhead, and they move up to third in the table.

Edinburgh University finally moved up one place in the table with a powerful 7-1 at bottom side Dunfermline Carnegie.  Sam Hunt was again the leading scorer with a hat-trick and the others came from Tom Cahalin, Ollie Wilson, Keir Robb and Reuben Kelly with Andrew Doyle getting the consolation for the Fifers from the spot.

FSEG Clydesdale stumbled a little by being held to a 2-2 draw by lowly Kelburne – a good result for the latter.  Ciaran Willcox got both goals for the Buddies while Joel Reid and Matt Davidson were on target for the Dale.   The Dale now slip back to sixth.

Grove Menzieshill finally found their way to goal in style with a 6-2 win over Inverleith on Tayside.    It was 1-1 at the interval, Stuart Hatton gave the visitors the lead before Alfie Bonnar replied.  It was in the third quarter that the Dundonians struck with four goals without reply – Bonnar again, Luke Cranney, Findlay Duncan and Murdo Kiddie did the damage.  Cranney again found the net in the final quarter and then Mark Harley got a late consolation for Inverleith.   As a result Menzieshill move out of the danger zone but Inverleith do not.

No change at the top of the women`s Premiership – that is Watsonians and Azets Clydesdale Western are still winning and piling in the goals.  After today`s games the former still lead by three points and a much better goal difference, but Clydesdale have that game in hand against St Andrews University tomorrow.

Azets Clydesdale Western went north to Aberdeen and returned to Glasgow with a 13-0 crushing of Gordonians.  There was a hat-trick for Heather O`Brien, two each for Fiona Semple, Jenny Eadie and Bronwyn Shields, and finally single from Jika Nyirenda, Millie Steiger, Emma McGregor and Ailish Dunlop.

Watsonians went one better with 14 against Hillhead.  Here there were hat-tricks for Emily Dark and Sarah Jamieson, two each for Milly Berndes-Cade and Fiona Burnet, and the singles emanated from Katherine Holdgate, Anna Richardson, Tabitha Peck and Ellie Wilson.

Meanwhile the mid-table blockage has teased out a little.

GHK remain in third place despite losing out 2-1 to Wildcats who remain in fifth but with a game in hand.   The Cats have had a good run of late, they have extended their unbeaten run to five games as a result of today.   Kate Holmes at a penalty corner and Corrie Hay were their scorers while Jess Halley scored GHK`s reply.    The Cats have now gone five games without defeat – not a bad effort at all.

However, it is St Andrews University who have taken occupancy of fourth place with a 4-1 win over Glasgow Uni, they share eleven points with the Cats but are a goal better off.  There were four individual scorers here, Hannah Coull, Amy Edgar, Emmy Tran and Iona Fleming, and Chrissie Clark got the only reply.

Uddingston drop from fourth to sixth after being held to a 3-3 draw with Edinburgh University who still remain in the lower echelons.  Once again Lexi McMillan was the catalyst for Uddy with a well-taken hat-trick while Eliza Hutchison, Connie Roxburgh and Cat Nelli were on target for the students.

 

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