Watsonians and Edinburgh University will contest this year`s Men’s Scottish Cup Final

The first match was an all-university clash between Edinburgh who had just clinched the Premiership title and Glasgow from the second tier – and the 8-0 victory for the former reflected the gulf. And again the scoring catalyst was Jamie Golden with five – that has been a feature of the season.

It took Jamie Golden only two minutes to make his mark with a penalty corner conversion into the top left corner. The Dundonian scored again after beating several players and finding the net from the bye-line. Before the interval Ollie Wilson made it three with a near post deflection…and the game was well won at that point.

The goals flowed in the second half, Ollie Wilson got his second of the match, Jamie Golden scored two more penalty corners with flicks down the middle, then Sam Hunt entered the scoring scene, and finally Golden sent a penalty stroke flick into the bottom left to complete a good day`s work.

The second semi-final was a ding-dong affair between Watsonians and Hillhead…and the former took the honours with a last gasp open play goal from Ronan Kingsbury to seal the Edinburgh side`s place in the final.

Watsonians, fresh from a classic performance in Europe last weekend, took the lead in eleven minutes with a spin and shot from Lyndon Ross. But as the half wore on Hillhead got themselves back into the contest, firstly Fergus Allan finished off a great team goal with a great take and finish at the far post, then Murray Ross stole the ball the circle and smashed it into the bottom left hand corner of the net.  But by the interval Watsonians were level with a penalty corner conversion from Charlie Jack. So it was 2-2 at the interval.

Hillhead were again in the lead in the third quarter with a strike from Amar Sagoo but then Tommy Orr burst into the circle, shrugged off a defender and buried the ball into the roof of the net for 3-3.

Then it looked like Hillhead were to take the tie when Amar Sagoo finished off a rebound from close range to put the Glasgow side 4-3 up. But Watsonians were not to be denied, Charlie Jack thumped the ball into the bottom right had corner of the net for the equaliser and in the closing seconds Ronan Kingsbury sealed the tie in a close encounter.

Get your tickets here: Scottish Hockey – Scottish Cup Finals Tickets | Saturday 25th – Sunday 26th April 2026

 

PREMIERSHIP

There is no change at the top of the women`s Premiership as contenders Watsonians and Clydesdale both won, and consequently the former still retain their three point lead.

But Watsonians went behind in the first quarter against Edinburgh University with a goal from Zara Kennedy. That was her first goal in her second game back after nearly a year out, she found the net with a deflection at a penalty corner. Just on the stroke of half-time Watsonians equalised with an overtime penalty corner conversion by Fiona Burnet.

The third quarter belonged to the champions, Katherine Holdgate scored from the spot and Burnet got her second of the day from open play for a comfortable lead. Towards the end Sarah Jamieson and then Ailsa Small added two more for Watsonians but with five minutes to go Cat Nelli pulled one back for the students at a penalty corner – but by that time the game was well lost.

Watsonians` coach Keith Smith said, “Perhaps it was a bit of a hangover from the Euros, we were not at our best but were able to grind out a result. I would say that we got better as the game went on.”

Clydesdale Western`s challenge does not dissipate, they went to St Andrews University and emerged with a comfortable 6-0 win to keep up the pressure. Once again Jenny Eadie was at the forefront with a hat-trick, and the other goals came from Ava Graham, Jika Nyirenda and Emma McGregor.

However, the above results mean that Edinburgh University are still in third spot with 27 points, two ahead of GHK with a game in hand. But St Andrews are now not able to make the top four knock-out stages, they are four points adrift of GHK with only one game left to play.

In the men`s Premiership on Thursday evening Western Wildcats returned to second spot after a convincing 7-1 win over Grove Menzieshill at Auchenhowie in a catch-up fixture.

Wildcats are now a point ahead of Watsonians who drop back to third but still six points behind newly corowned champions Edinburgh University and with only one game remaining.

Top scorer was Adam Mackenzie with a hat-trick, Cameron Banks got a couple and the others came from Rob Harwood and Iain McFadden at a penalty corner. Luke Cranney got the Taysiders consolation.

Get your tickets here: Scottish Hockey – Scottish Cup Finals Tickets | Saturday 25th – Sunday 26th April 2026

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