Some reshuffling in the Premiership top six

Edinburgh University were seconds away from taking over pole position in the men’s Premiership when they led Grange 3-2, but a scrambled goal from Duncan Riddell frustrated the student`s aspirations and the contest ended in a 3-3 draw. The consequence is that Grange retain their unbeaten record and hold on to top spot while Edinburgh fall back to third.

Grange looked to have stamped their authority on the contest with two open play goals from Aussie Dylan Bean in the first half. But the students were not to be denied, Keir Robb reduced the deficit and that was followed by a brace of penalty corner strikes by Robbie Croll to put them 3-2 up and on the verge of the three points until Riddell`s belated equaliser.

It`s amazing how little it takes to change the destiny of a top match.

Grange manager Martin Shepherdson said: “Grange had the better of the first half and University had the upper hand in the second – so I think a draw was a fair score.”

Western Wildcats took full advantage of the draw in Edinburgh to move to within a point of Grange after giving Clydesdale an 8-2 mauling at Auchenhowie. In the goal avalanche there were hat-tricks for Rob Harwood and Andrew McConnell while Jack McKenzie, who played for Clydesdale last season, scored twice. Clydesdale`s replies came from Sam Hayes and Johnny Bradley.

Western`s manager James Moran said: “We were very competitive today, Clydesdale troubled us at spells, but in general we dominated the game.”

Clydesdale`s defeat allowed Watsonians to move into fourth spot after a 7-2 win over Kelburne, set piece expert Dan Coultas was prominent with a hat-trick while Drew Lobb, Fraser Sands, Danny Cain and Andrew Fraser-Harris got the others.

Photo by Dave Reid

Inverleith made sixth spot their own with a 10-2 win over Dunfermline Carnegie, Charlie Jack scored a hat-trick while Kyle Taylor bagged a couple. Andrew Doyle scored the two goals for the Fifers.

In perhaps the most competitive game of the day Hillhead got the better of a seven goal thriller against ESM. Two from Andrew Sinclair and strikes by Andrew Black and John Reid were the goals for Hillhead while Ed May from a penalty corner, Jack Collister and Riyaad Henry replied for the Edinburgh side… and try as they might they failed to get the elusive equaliser in the closing minutes.

Uddingston moved closer to the top six after a 7-2 win over FMGM Monarchs. There were two goals each for Finn Halliday and Jedd Campbell while the others came from Jonny McDonald, Alex McGregor and Luke Campbell.

The apex of the women`s Premiership remains unaltered after Watsonians 14 goal win over Edinburgh neighbours Inverleith. There were hat-tricks for Sarah Jamieson, Milly Berndes-Cade and Ellie Stott while Ailsa Small grabbed a couple. Watsonians coach Keith Smith said that his side played very well and they were “ruthless” today.

Photo by David McCarthy

There was a bit of reshuffling further down the top six after the game-of-the-day at Titwood between Clydesdale Western and Edinburgh University ended in a 1-1 draw. The result is that the Edinburgh students remain second but Clydesdale drop to fourth but they have their catch-up game against Grange – so positions may change again.

Louise Campbell scored for Edinburgh while Margery Justice was Clydesdale`s scorer.

Clydesdale coach Derek Forsyth said at the end of the game: “Overall we played really well so we have to be happy with the performance but we couldn`t take advantage of it.”

Wildcats take over third spot after a 4-0 home win over Uddingston at Auchenhowie. The foundation of the three points was formed in the first half with strikes from Alex Stuart and Rachel Bain. Uddingston upped their game in the third quarter and Wildcats` keeper Heather Elder had to look lively to keep a clean sheet. However, the Cats dug their claws in and Megan Cox and Bain again sealed the victory with further strikes.

GHK remain in fifth place with a narrow 1-0 win at bottom side Dundee Wanderers, Aimee Martin was the only player on target.

Glasgow University and Grange fought out a 1-1 draw, Heather Croll got the latter`s goal, and both move a bit further up the bottom six table.

The match between Hillhead and Gordonians was called off.

SUNDAY

Clydesdale Western returned to third spot in the women`s Premiership after a 3-0 win over Grange in a catch-up game, they are now level with Edinburgh University but behind on goal difference. Wildcats, after an overnight hold on third spot, now drop back to fourth, but only a point adrift of University and Clydesdale.

There were two goals for Holly Steiger while Anna Hoolaghan got the other. Despite the defeat, Grange still hold on to seventh, a point ahead of both Glasgow University and Uddingston.

 

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