Scotland: Little Change At The Top Of The Premierships But Uddingston Men Are Making A Move

Well, it`s all building up to the top game on Sunday between Watsonians and Clydesdale Western after both were conclusive winners to maintain maximum points.

The champions went to St Andrews and came away with a 5-1 victory. Watsonians were two ahead at the break through Katherine Holdgate from the spot and Sarah Jamieson.  In the third quarter Milly Berndes-Cade made it three before Reese Wearren pulled one back for the students. But any revival was stifled by further Watsonians goals from Fiona Burnet and Jamieson again for a convincing score line.

Clydesdale Western travelled to Auchenhowie and were also comfortable five goal winners over Wildcats. The main predator here was Jenny Eadie with a hat-trick and further strikes from Jika Nyirenda and Heather Howie, and with no reply from the Cats.

Edinburgh University are also in the mix at the top with another convincing 6-1 win at Aberdeen. German import Jojo Muhl was again in scoring form with a hat-trick, Sarah Cassels grabbed a couple while Sophia Donald got the other.

GHK`s revival continues with a 4-1 win at Grange and they now slip up into sixth place on goal difference. Lucy Williamson finally found the target with a double and the other goals came from Sophie Byrne and Hanna McKie. Izzy Alexander provided Grange`s only reply.

The top of the men`s Premiership table has changed a bit following Uddingston`s continued renaissance and perhaps showed that their challenge is serious with a 3-1 win over Grange – a result that lifts them to fourth in the table.

And it all happened in the opening quarter with goals from Angus Sinclair at a penalty corner, Finn Halliday from the spot, and Matt Young who followed up at a penalty corner.  That is how it stood at the interval, at the end of quarter three, and only a late strike from Robbie Croll provided Grange with a consolation, but no change to the outcome.

Premiership leaders Watsonians were no slouches either with a 10-1 win at St Andrews; here Charlie Jack scored four, Tommy Orr got three, Gabriel Tenner struck two, and Adam Carter got the other, while Murdo Macdonald scored for the students.

Edinburgh University are still in second spot, only two points behind Watsonians, after a 3-1 win at ESM Lions.  Almost inevitably Jamie Golden was amongst the scorers but also Arthur Owens and Declan Bradley while Cammy Ede replied for the home side.

Western Wildcats certainly had no Euro hangover with a 6-1 win at Dundee Wanderers.  The Taysiders took an early lead through Loghan Gruar but by half-time Wildcats were 2-1 ahead through Cameron Banks with a tap in and a penalty corner conversion from Fraser Moran.   That is how it stood until the fourth quarter when Wildcats added further goals through Iain McFadden at a set piece, Rob Harwood with a volley deflection, Andrew Lochrin at a rebound at a penalty corner and finally Banks again with a close range shot.

The closest game of the day saw Inverleith and Grove Menzieshill draw 2-2 – a point each is always helpful. John Donald at a penalty corner gave the Dundonians a narrow half-time lead.  Zak Turtle levelled for Inverleith after the break only for Donald to put Grove Menzieshill ahead for the second time with a rebound shot through the keeper.  But the points were to be shared when James Gordon scored at the back post with only two minutes left.

At the lower echelons of the table, it was good news for Hillhead who moved up to eighth with a 3-0 win at Clydesdale, but it leaves the Titwood side second bottom with only one point and serious concerns for safety.   Hillhead`s scorers were Fraser Ward, Sean Horgan and Andrew Black.