Watsonians and Clydesdale Western make women’s finals day while Uddingston are in the relegation play-offs

Watsonians and Clydesdale Western will contest this season`s women’s indoor final next weekend after finishing well ahead in the top four competition. At the other end it is Uddingston who will play in the relegation play-off for first division survival.

Hillhead have done extremely well to reach the top four competition and on the opening game further enhanced their standing with a 3-3 draw with Clydesdale Western, and they almost won.

Normal service seemed on the cards when in four minutes Lucy Williamson opened the scoring for Clydesdale, but it was Hillhead`s Jenny Sinclair who scored the next one from the spot.   A penalty corner conversion by Fiona Semple gave Clydesdale a 2-1 lead only for Rachel Osborne to reply in like fashion for 2-2 at the break.   Another penalty goal from Jenny Sinclair put Hillhead ahead for the first time, and it looked as if a shock result was on the cards, but Semple saved Clydesdale`s blushes with a late equaliser.

Watsonians drew to within a point of Clydesdale at the top with a 3-1 win over Wildcats in the next match.  The result ended any chance Wildcats had of making the Final day.   Set piece expert Emily Dark opened the scoring for the Edinburgh side in three minutes, and that is how it stood at the interval.   The result was effectively sealed in the 24th minute with goals from Gen Hussell and Ailsa Small giving the champions a three goal lead, although Millie Skidmore did notch a consolation for the Cats a few minutes later.

Clydesdale galloped back to free-scoring mode in their second match with a 9-1 mauling of Wildcats.   Clydesdale were 6-1 up at the interval through Anna Hoolaghan, Kayleigh Justice, Fiona Semple, a couple from Ciara Forgie and Lucy Williamson – Alex Stuart replied for the Cats.  In the second half Kayleigh Justice scored two more for her hat-trick and Anna Hoolaghan got her own second to complete the scoring.

Hillhead again put up a stout performance in their second match of the day, only going down 3-2 to Watsonians.    The champions are now only a single point off leaders Clydesdale with the later head to head to come.   After a goalless first half Ailsa Small put the champions ahead only for Ciara Goddard to level nine minutes later.  Watsonians then moved into a 3-1 lead through Katie Stott and Gen Hussell, and although Rachel Osborne converted a penalty corner for the Glasgow side, the equaliser eluded them.

In the dress rehearsal for next weekend`s finals Watsonians were 4-3 victors over Clydesdale Western to top the league – but it is only a rehearsal!!   Watsonians` Katie Crawford stole the limelight with a hat-trick while Gen Hussell got the other while Lucy Williamson scored twice for Clydesdale with Kayleigh Justice getting the other.    The champions finished top of the top four competition by two points but the sides will meet again next weekend in a winner-take-all final match.

Dundee Wanderers assured themselves of first division status next season with a 6-2 win over Grange in the opening game in the lower half competition.   Although there is no automatic relegation, Grange`s chances of having to endure the play-off is looming ever closer, and their next game against Uddingston is now crucial.

Amy Snelle`s early opener was cancelled out by Grange`s Emma Davie, but a Sam Sangster penalty corner gave Wanderers a 2-1 lead at the break.  The Taysiders took control of the second half and goals flowed from Amy Snelle again, Olivia D`Ambrosio, Kerry Nicol and Isla McRobbie for a 6-1 advantage before Ella Mundell notched a consolation for Grange.

Four goals from Vic White may have saved Grange from the relegation play-off, that was the catalyst in their 7-0 win over Uddingston who are favourites for that spot, even if they beat Dundee Wanderers in the last game of the day.  The foundation of the conclusive Grange victory came with goals from Iona Syme and White in the first half.   Grange proceeded to add another five in the second half, White notched another three, Syme also got another and Kirsten Turnbull completed the scoring.   The seven goals went along way to adding to their goal difference over Uddingston, which could be akin to an additional point.

In the final match Dundee Wanderers were 4-1 winners over Uddingston, the latter are now confined to the relegation play-offs next weekend.   Amy Snelle was Wanderers top scorer with a hat-trick, two of which came from penalty corner switches, while a penalty corner conversion by Sam Sangster completed the tally.  Lucy Craighton notched a late consolation for the Lanarkshire side.   However, there were more cards than goals as there were eight separate visits to the sin bin during the course of the contest.

 

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