There were still a number of issues to be resolved in the composition of the top six in the Premier League before the start of the second phase of the competition, but after today’s matches there was no variation in the top three positions.
In the women’s match of the day, Watsonians maintained their three-goal lead at the top of the Premier League with a convincing 5-1 win over third-placed Edinburgh University. The match was tied at 1-1 after Ailsa Small put the champions ahead before Emily Morris’ penalty corner leveled when her deflection went in off a defender’s foot. But three goals in a period of five minutes killed the students: Fiona Burnet from open play, Emily Dark from a penalty corner and then Sarah Jamieson for a comfortable 4-1 lead. There was only one goal in the second half, scored by Fiona Burnet to complete the victory.
Meanwhile, Clydesdale Western went to Uddingston and came away with a 5-1 scoreline. The individual scorers were Heather Howie, Millie Steiger, Anna Hoolaghan, Emma McGregor and Sophie Hinds. Clydesdale retains second place, but Uddy will play in the lower segment after the winter break.
It’s now looking a bit like a two-horse race at the top, with Edinburgh seven points behind Clydesdale and a further three behind Watsonians.
St Andrews University retains fourth spot after a 5-1 win at Inverleith – 5-1 looks a favorite scoreline this weekend! Hannah Coull scored twice and the others came from Maggie Carter, Reese Wearron and Amy Edgar, while Robyn Henderson replied for Edinburgh. The score could have been more substantial had Inverleith keeper Vicky Hanson not been in a stubborn mood.
But perhaps the most important match of the day brought Grange and Wildcats together in Edinburgh, with a top six finish on the line. Advantage Wildcats are still three points behind after a 2-2 draw, but the Cats have a game in hand against Glasgow University and a superior goal difference – so the outcome is in the Cats’ hands. It was ding-dong – Molly Davis put Grange in front alone for a solo try and struck from the top of the circle through Lexi Macmillan to level. Izzy Alexander restored Grange’s advantage, then a place conversion from Rachel Osborne perhaps equalized – and so it ended – advantage for the Cats.
GHK’s recent good form continues with another 5-1 win, this time over Hillhead, to retain fifth spot. There were two goals each for Lucy Williamson and Hanna McKie, with Jo Boyle getting the other, Wendy MacIntyre replied for Hillhead.
Ultimately, Glasgow University leaves the second bottom rung with a 1-0 against Aberdeen.
Not much has changed at the top of the men’s Premiership either, with the top sides ending the first session before the winter break with three points – so no change in the batting order.
Edinburgh University are still top by three points after a 5-2 win over Grange. But it didn’t all go smoothly for the students, the score was 2-2 at half time. Josh Love and Keir Robb put Edinburgh two ahead but Grange came back with strikes from Jacob Tweedie and Livio Belotti with a shot from the top of the circle. However, three goals within ten minutes of the third quarter killed the game, Jamie Golden scoring twice from penalty corners, followed by Ollie Wilson from open play. The positive for Grange is that their place in the top six is now secured.
Watsonians retained their second place, only beating Hillhead 2-1, but the result confirms Glasgow’s place in the bottom six for the second half of the season. Gabe Tenner and Nathan Liggett were on target for Watsonians, while a sloppy goal from Matt Carder, who eventually forced the ball into the goal, set up Hillhead’s goal.
Western Wildcats remain third, but with about a game in hand, after a 3-1 win at ESM Lions in the jungle encounter. Rob Harwood put the Wildcats ahead just four minutes in with a rebound from a penalty corner, but the score was level at the break when Cameron Ede scored from a set piece. However, in the second half Cammie Moran put the Cats ahead 2-1 and in the final action of the match Harwood secured the three points with a breakaway try.
As a result, the Lions move back to fifth place, while Uddingston regains fourth spot with a 5-2 win over bottom side St Andrews University. Finn Halliday got two and there were singles for Ben Young, Jedd Campbell and Fergus Fitzgerald, while Thomas Steel and Matt Garrod responded for the students.
In the lower reaches, Grove Menzieshill topped Dundee with a 2-1 win over rivals Wanderers, and they now move up to ninth. After a goalless first half, Oscar Brown put Wanderers ahead, and it stayed that way until the final ten minutes when Findlay Duncan scored twice from penalty corners and the three points.
Clydesdale look to canter to safety with a 7-1 home win over Inverleith, and they now move up to ninth in the table. There were two goals each for Andrew McGrane and Harry Leggett, with Charlie Feeney, Ian King and Ben Moulson getting the others. Kyle Taylor got Inverleith’s only hit and they moved back to second base on goal difference.
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