The last games in this season`s Premiership and loose ends still to tidy up

All is in place in the Women`s Premiership. Watsonians have won the title, and they along with Edinburgh University, Clydesdale Western and Western Wildcats will take part in the European play-offs. At the other end Gordonians are relegated and Hillhead will take on the runners-up from the second tier.

The Men`s Premiership is not so clear cut.

Grange only need to win at home against Uddingston to retain the Premiership title; they lead second placed Edinburgh University by a single point – their destiny is totally in their own hands.  Last time out, albeit back in September, Grange emerged 4-2 winners with Dylan Bean, Joe Waterston, Jamie Green and Aidan McQuade on target, and they have been regularly on target throughout the season.

Anything other than the three points could potentially throw away the season`s hard graft with the Edinburgh students lurking.

And it`s not as if the game means nothing to the Lanarkshire side – they currently lie fourth and in line for the play-offs, but are only two points ahead of Watsonians and Hillhead. So Uddingston have much to play for as well.

This is the scenario for Uddingston – a win would keep them fourth and in the play-offs, a draw could put it down to goal difference, and a defeat would still do if Watsonians and Hillhead shared the points. So there are several permutations out there.

It could be very close as Watsonians and Hillhead have very similar records, both on 17 points and the head-to-head ended with a narrow 4-3 win for the Glasgow side.

Since the Grange game starts at 11am at Fettes, Edinburgh University will probably already know their fate before they step on the pitch at Auchenhowie to face Western Wildcats. Should Grange stutter, a win or perhaps a draw, may suffice to give the students their first league title – Edinburgh have a goal difference of 45 to Grange`s 44, and that could be crucial. But taking something from Western Wildcats on their own pad will not be that easy if the pressure is on.

The other outstanding issue is the relegation play-off spot. After beating Clydesdale last weekend Grove Menzieshill have a single point advantage over ESM and therefore have a slight advantage.

So it comes down to the results on the day. The Taysiders visit bottom side Kelburne and three points would secure their safety. ESM are away to Inverleith whose safety is already assured. It should be noted that the Dundonians have a slightly better goal difference at the moment should the sides finish equal on points.

There are no such issues in the women`s competition.

In the top tier champions Watsonians visit fifth placed GHK, a side they beat 1-0 in November.

Runners-up Edinburgh University host Clydesdale Western, a dress rehearsal for the European play-offs the following weekend – that might be interesting! The only meeting between the sides was in February where the students won by the odd goal in five at Titwood. Clydesdale have improved as the season has progressed, but whether it’s enough to upset Sam Judge`s young charges is another thing.

At Auchenhowie Western Wildcats, after a recent run of tough league results, will want to retrieve the win ethic against sixth placed Grange. The Cats have still much to play for yet – they will take confidence from seeing off Uddingston to reach the Scottish Cup Final for the first time in their history, and they have the European play-offs to come. A win against Grange would set them up nicely.

In the lower split Glasgow University have shown some belated form with three wins in the last four games and hauled themselves out of relegation trouble into ninth place, and on Saturday they close the season against second bottom Hillhead. Even with another victory it is unlikely they will progress further up the table as eighth placed St Andrews are at home to bottom side Gordonians.

Uddingston are assured of their place at the top of the lower split and entertain Inverleith in their final match. Inverleith are finally safe from relegation worries but could move up a place if they could win in Lanarkshire.

 

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