Western Wildcats men were presented with a very challenging task at this year`s opening rounds of the EHL in Surbiton and they responded with grit – unfortunately they narrowly lost both their encounters.
After losing 3-1 to English side Wimbledon in the opening round, they faced crack Belgian side Waterloo Ducks in the ranking match.
Charlie Langendries opened the scoring for the Ducks in the second quarter, but just before the interval Nikki Homfray levelled for the Wildcats at a penalty corner.
And that is how it stood going into the final quarter but a penalty corner conversion from Waterloo`s Tomas Domene secured the win for the Belgians.
In the opening rounds of the Scottish Cup there were a few standout ties.
What difference a week makes – last weekend Uddingston defeated Hillhead 5-2 in the men`s Premiership, but Hillhead were 5-1 winners in the Scottish Cup. A bit of a turn round. Matt Carder scored two from close range, Ewan Campbell controlled a high ball and shot past the keeper, Murray Ross also converted from close range and finally Fraser Ward had a tap in at the far post after a cross from Ross. Finn Halliday replied for Uddingston.
Hillhead coach Yan Adams was heard to say: “A great turn round from last week.”
There were no problems for Edinburgh University who saw off Inverleith 5-0 at Peffermill. Declan Bradley scored twice and there were singles for Tom Cahalin, Jonny Bradley and Iain McFadden.
Elsewhere, holders Watsonians were 7-1 winners over Strathclyde University.
Perhaps the biggest result of the Scottish Cup arrived with St Andrews University`s 2-0 win over third placed GHK in the all-Premiership tie. The students’ scorers were Liz Agatucci and Lucy Jamieson. St Andrews` coach Jamie Carnegie said: “It was a competitive game and we had a few cards but defended corners well and took our chances.”
Elsewhere Edinburgh University, Grange, Clydesdale Western and Inverleith from the Premiership progressed into the next round with a degree of comfort. Holders Watsonians were nine goal winners against Edinburgh University`s second string with Sarah Jamieson getting three and Caitlin Hart a double. A hat-trick from Emma Blackstock saw Hillhead come away with a 4-1 win at Dundee University.
