Watsonians are still top of the tree in the women`s Premiership after a 3-1 win over Edinburgh University. Bex Jones put the champions ahead in the first quarter at a penalty corner but Harriet Platt levelled for the students before the interval following a counter attack up the left. Another set piece conversion by Emily Dark put Watsonians 2-1 up in the third quarter, and before there was any hint of a revival the ball crashed off Lucy Harris` helmet, prompting a scramble, and Sarah Jamieson bundled the ball over the line for Watsonians` third.
The result puts Watsonians a point ahead of Clydesdale Western but the latter have a game in hand – and the two sides meet on Sunday at Titwood – this should be exciting. Clydesdale were no slouches at Auchenhowie with a 4-0 win over Wildcats.
The first quarter was end to end but it was Clydesdale who took the lead through Anna Winter who deflected the ball over the keeper. In the second quarter Clydesdale benefitted from two more penalty corner breakdowns and Ciara Forgie and Heather Howie capitalised for a three goal lead. A Millie Steiger strike in the final quarter sealed the three points.
GHK are making third spot their own with another three points at Inverleith. Lucy Williamson got the all-important goal at a penalty corner in a tight game that produced good chances to both sides – but it was GHK who emerged with the three points.
St Andrews University continue their recent run of good form with a 10-0 win over Fjordhus Reivers in a Friday evening encounter. Regular striker Liz Agatucci was again in lethal form with four, Iona Syme picked up a double and there were singles for Fiona Hawkings, Ella Ritchie, Hannah Coull and Sabine Hommes.
At the other end of the table Uddingston have moved clear of the danger area after a 2-1 win at Glasgow University. And Grange have finally secured a win, and in some style, with a 5-1 score over Hillhead. The catalyst was a hat-trick from Rachel Shiel with Izzy Alexander and Kirsten Cannon providing the others. Louise Dixon scored for Hillhead in the first half to equalise.
Western Wildcats have opened up a five point gap at the top of the men`s Premiership with a hard fought 4-3 win over rivals Grange at Auchenhowie. The foundation of the victory came in the first quarter; Hamish Galt moved into the circle and found the net, to be followed by a penalty corner strike from Fraser Moran for a two goal lead. The lead was extended to three with an open play goal from captain Rob Harwood but the Edinburgh side were undaunted and by half time goals from Dylan Bean and Jacob Tweedie had reduced the deficit to a single goal. A diving effort by Cameron Weir at the back post restored the Wildcats two goal lead and although Bean scored his second in the final quarter, it was the Cats who emerged with the crucial three points.
It is Watsonians who move into second spot above Grange after a 6-3 win over Edinburgh neighbours ESM. Watsonians hit the ground running with three goals in the first quarter through Tommy Orr, Dan Coultas from the spot and Danny Cain at a penalty corner. Further goals were subsequently added through Orr and Cain again along with Matthew Leiper at the end. After finding themselves four down ESM did respond and Jamie Hogarth twice along with Paddy Crookshanks pulled the score back to within three, but not enough.
Edinburgh University had little difficulty in holding on the fourth place with a comfortable 6-0 win over Dunfermline Carnegie, all singles were scored by Jonny Bradley, Keir Robb, Ollie Wilson, Clemens Probst, Rory Steedman and Drew Lobb.
In the crucial tussle for a top six slot Uddingston triumphed 4-1 against rivals Grove Menzieshill and consequently move above the Dundonians into sixth spot. Uddingston now hold a one point initiative with one match remaining for both sides. While the balance of play was fairly even it was a hat-trick pf penalty corner strikes by Fahmi Khalid that effectively separated the sides. It was Khalid`s opener just on half-time that gave Uddingston the slight advantage. An abrupt end to a solo run from Louis Gardiner gave Khalid his second set piece conversion just after the interval, and early in the final quarter the same player added a third…and the contest looked dead and buried.
But back came the Taysiders and Albert Rowling took advantage of some loose Uddy defending to reduce the deficit with a neat finish for 3-1. But the contest was totally killed off with Uddy`s fourth from Finn Halliday at the second attempt.
At the bottom end of the table Clydesdale finally recorded their second win of the season with a 3-1 home win over Inverleith, their scorer was Thomas Barton.
Meanwhile, Hillhead kept their hopes of a top six place alive with a 2-1 win over Dundee Wanderers. The Taysiders took the lead through Oscar Brown but an Andrew Sinclair penalty corner levelled the score. Later in the first half Jimmy Lynch Small sent a deft chip over the keeper in what proved to be the winner. Hillhead had to absorb a lot of pressure in the second half including two late penalty corners, but survived for the crucial three points.
