Watsonians women and Edinburgh University men still hold Premiership pole position

It took a last minute penalty corner conversion by Fiona Burnet to give Watsonians a belated 2-1 win over GHK in the women`s Premiership game of the day.  And so Keith Smith`s charges still hold a three point lead at the top of the table.

Keith then evaluated: “It very much looked like our first game back – I think that lack of match sharpness showed as we dominated possession but huffed and puffed with the ball rather than being as fast and fluid as we normally would be.”

Tabitha Peck opened the scoring for Watsonians in the second quarter only for Sophie Byrne to level just before half-time, and that is how it stood up to the final minute.

Second placed Clydesdale Western had no such issues, they gave Wildcats an eight goal mauling at Titwood.  There were two goals each for Ava Graham and Jenny Eadie while the other goals came from Fiona Semple, Jika Nyirenda, Bronwyn Shields and Millie Steiger.

The university clash between St Andrews and Edinburgh ended in a 1-1 draw which leaves open the race for a top four place to between these two sides and GHK. Charlotte Bosma was on target for St Andrews while Emily Morris got Edinburgh`s goal.

In the bottom six Glasgow University assured themselves of Premiership competition next season with a 1-0 win at Hillhead who seem rooted to the relegation play-off spot.

Inverleith`s route to safety still looks a little murky after a 9-2 defeat at the hands of neighbours Grange. Top of the list for Grange was Rachel Shiel with four, Marianna MacLean got a hat-trick and the others came from Freya Philip and Molly David. Kirsty Dinwoodie and Elise were Inverleith`s scorers.

Edinburgh University increased their lead at the top of the men`s Premiership with a 3-1 win at Grange – they now lead Western Wildcats and Watsonians by four points.  All the goals came in the first half, the students went into a two goal lead through Ollie Wilson from a rebound at a penalty corner and another set piece conversion from Jamie Golden.  Jacob Tweedie pulled one back for Grange but Edinburgh`s two goal lead was restored by Tom Cahalin. Both sides had chances to find the net during the contest but it was the league leaders who emerged triumphant.

Watsonians and Western Wildcats fought out a 1-1 draw – a result that undoubtedly benefited leaders Edinburgh University. Western Wildcats took the lead in the second half with a penalty corner strike by Iain McFadden but Watsonians` Danny Cain replied with a rebound at another penalty corner.  Wildcats cause was not helped when Fraser Moran failed to convert from the spot.

The contest for the coveted fourth place in the league between Uddingston and ESM Lions remains unresolved – the sides drew 2-2 and Uddy still remain two points ahead.   Cameron Ede opened for the Lions but then Uddy forged ahead through Angus Miller and Angus Sinclair, only for the Edinburgh side to level with a strike from Sam Armitage.   And that was the scoring although apparently both teams had their chances to take the three points.

In the relegation zone St Andrews University`s quest for safety took a bit of a dent when they went down 2-0 at home to Clydesdale, Joel Reid and Thomas McInroy were the scorers. The students are still bottom but still only a point adrift of Dundee Wanderers who also lost – this time 5-3 to Inverleith.  So it is still tight. Zak Turtle was the catalyst for Inverleith with a hat-trick, Finlay Duncan and James Gordon were also on target. The result moves the Edinburgh further towards safety, they are now four points ahead of Wanderers.

There is no change at the top of the lower pool after Hillhead and Grove Menzieshill finished level on 1-1.  Murray Ross put Hillhead a goal up and that is how it stood until the final quarter when Luke Cranney scored for the Taysiders. Grove Menzieshill`s coach Gav Byers reflected, “It was a game of lots of chances for both teams.  The bar and post were rattled a few times on each side and the goalkeepers both made some brilliant saves.” Hillhead`s Fraser Ward commented, “I will say the hockey was scrappy and lots of chances were created by both sides but unable to convert.”

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