Last season Edinburgh University women finished runners-up in the Premiership, five points adrift of Watsonians, and they’re looking to be in the mix again for this season`s title.
There have been changes in the ranks. Firstly, long-term coach Sam Judge has stepped down and now Henry Langton has taken over.
So what are the new coach`s aspirations? “Our goals are primarily process-focussed. With significant experience leaving the squad, it`s an excellent opportunity for students to step up and take on leadership roles and responsibilities.
“We aim to win every game we play, but we`re aware of the talent in other squads in Scottish competitions and BUCS. We`ll continue our fast, attacking style of hockey and see where it takes us by May 2025.”
So who are the departing Edinburgh students? Amy Brodie and Louise Campbell have both hung up their sticks. In addition Millie Skidmore has moved to Western Wildcats, Katie Swanson has left Uni and is playing for Racing Club of Barcelona while Harriet Bradley and Clemmie Boyd have both gone abroad for a year with their courses.
However, there are talented recruits joining the fold. Caterina Nelli comes in from Uddingston; Emily McLean from Grange; Alyssa Weir from Perthshire; as well as Lucy Harris, originally from Hillhead but has recently been playing in Australia for Powerhouse in Melbourne. Further, Sophie Fletcher joins from Timperley down south, although an ACL will keep her out for a couple of months, and Ella Agnew is promoted from the second squad.
It will be interesting to see how the new set-up fares with this weekend`s double header against GHK and Uddingston – six points would indicate that the Edinburgh students will again be a force to reckon with.
GHK at Old Anniesland could be a difficult fixture as the Glasgow side started off with a comfortable three goal win over Uddingston last weekend with Lucy Williamson showing the same goal scoring form as last season. They might fancy causing an upset against the students on their first outing of the season. GHK`s Sunday game is away to Grange which could be another tester for new coach Susan McGilveray who takes over from Fiona Semple.
So what about other members of the chasing pack? Both Clydesdale Western and Western Wildcats made high-scoring openings to the season. Clydesdale are away to Uddingston and at home to St Andrews University and six points will be the target especially with the return of Jenny Eadie.
Similarly the Cats also face the St Andrews students at the home of golf and continuing the university theme play Glasgow at Auchenhowie the following day.
Consequently It looks to be a challenging weekend for Jamie Carnegie`s St Andrews students who maintained their top flight status last season and started off this year with a creditable three all draw at Grange last Saturday. If they can take some points this weekend, that would be a real boost.
Watsonians rattled in eleven goals last weekend, so the Glasgow University and Inverleith defences will need to look to their laurels this weekend, especially on the lookout for free-scoring Sarah Jamieson.
Fjordhus Reivers had an unlucky Premiership baptism against Watsonians, but this weekend could be more fruitful against Grange and Hillhead – and give the Borderers an indication of their likely standing in the top flight.
Grange did well to finish fourth last season; they drew with St Andrews last Saturday, but if they have aspirations to finish fourth or better this time round then points against Reivers and GHK will have to be on the menu.
Finally, what about Hillhead who retained their Premiership status last season and started off this campaign with a six goal loss at Wildcats? Saturday could be an important occasion against Inverleith who were also on the wrong end of a big score against Clydesdale, and then Reivers – opportunities to pick up some crucial points.
On the men`s side Neil Allan returns to club coaching duties with Edinburgh University after an absence of three years, and he takes over from Hamish Imrie who is now with English side Richmond. And he started off with a 3-2 win over ESM, with the winner coming in the final couple of minutes.
Neil reflected, “This season we are just taking one game at a time – we aren`t focussing on anything in the distance. We had a solid start against a very well organised and good ESM side and we are looking forward to a competitive game against Grove Menzieshill this weekend, who are very well coached by Gav Byers.
“It`s just about being better each time we play and dealing with what`s in front of us. The title won`t be won in October, however it would be good to be in the mix come April.”
In terms of players going, as said before Hamish Imrie is away and so is Luca Muller who has returned to Polo Hamburg, and Callum Douglas to Southgate. “It’s a huge amount of international experience and playing experience to lose from the squad,” said the new coach.
In compensation new recruits include Ollie Wilson, who has returned from a year playing in Germany, along with Kyle Flockhart, who has joined from Hillhead, and Reuben Kelly from Whitgift in London. Also another bonus is that Iain McFadden has returned from a year in industry and has returned to university to complete his degree, so has returned from a stint at Western Wildcats.
Grove Menzieshill in Dundee could be a stern test of the students` credentials. After all the Taysiders restricted Western to a couple of second half goals last weekend at Auchenhowie, so they will be no pushover on their own patch.
ESM came close to sharing the points with the Edinburgh students on Saturday and seem to be a well organised outfit – they will need to be against Grange.
Western Wildcats found that Grove Menzieshill put up some stout resistance, and now they travel to a Dundee Wanderers` side that conceded seven to Watsonians last weekend – so the goal machine will hope to be in full working order.
So what about Watsonians? They are in pole position after game one, and captain Luke Campbell must fancy staying there after their Edinburgh derby with Inverleith. After all last weekend Watsonians scored seven and Inverleith conceded the same amount. But it may not be as simple as that.
Inverleith`s Kyle Taylor did remark, “This has been a frustrating start to the season with too many individual errors leading to goals. A lot of experienced players missing so hopefully can come back for Saturday`s game.” And local derbies can have unexpected outcomes.
After holding Grange to three last weekend Dunfermline Carnegie might fancy picking up their first points of the season at home to Hillhead.
The latter`s opening game makes interesting reading – they scored five goals but then again let in five more against Clydesdale.
In the final match Clydesdale might normally hope to pick up the three points against Uddingston at Titwood, as they did last season, but the Lanarkshire side opened with a bang, a 7-1 win over Inverleith to go second in the table.
The Lanarkshire side did well to finish fifth last season, another three points at Titwood would continue their progress in that direction. Then again Clydesdale at home with a noisy set of supporters can be a bit daunting.
