Watsonians and Clydesdale to the Fore in Women’s Indoor

Division one favourites Clydesdale Western and Watsonians both took six points from their opening two games but both sides were made to work hard for their triumphs especially in the first half of their games.

In the opening encounter of the day Watsonians, determined to make a push for honours this season, made a solid start to their campaign with a 5-1 win over a strong Edinburgh University outfit…but it was not plain sailing for much of the contest.

After a goalless first quarter, Susan Hamilton opened for Watsonians only for Jessica Ross to level for the students within a minute – and that is how it stood at the interval.

The third quarter was the turning point with three goals in as many minutes for Keith Smith`s outfit, Emily Dark put them ahead at a penalty corner and that was quickly followed by open play goals from Katherine Holdgate and Katie Stott for a 4-1 lead. Five minutes to go Dark struck again for a comfortable 5-1 score line… in the end

Wildcats also made a winning start with a 3-1 win over Hillhead. Aspen Cumming put the Cats ahead in only five minutes, to be doubled by Alex Stuart ten minutes later. But just at the end of the second quarter Zoe Irvine pulled one back for Hillhead.

There was only one further goal in the contest and it was scored by Kate Holmes to give the Cats the three points.

Champions Clydesdale Western faced Dundee Wanderers in a repeat of the final almost two years ago, and repeated the victory, this time by 4-1. Perhaps a comfortable win in the end, but it looked far from that at half-time when the Taysiders were a goal up through Heather McEwan.

But four minutes into the third quarter the worm turned and Scotland striker Jen Eadie struck twice to put the Glasgow side 2-1 ahead. That seemed to knock the stuffing out of Wanderers with Frances Lonergan and Fiona Semple at a penalty corner adding two more for a clear win that was not so evident at the interval.

Edinburgh University bounced back from their earlier reversal at the hands of Watsonians to overcome Hillhead by 8-0. Katie Robertson at a set piece, Jessica Ross and Itske Hooftman gave the students a comfortable three goal lead at the break.

Further goals followed in the second half, it started with a spot conversion by Sophie Hinds, then Robertson and Hooftman for their second of the match, Ruth Blaikie and finally Annie Steingold.

Then Grove Menzieshill and Inverleith stepped on to the court for the first time, the former emerging with a 4-1 win. A goal in each quarter from Florie Mitchell and Emma Tennant gave the Taysiders a solid start. Two minutes into the third quarter Tennant added a third although Steph Bain pulled one back for Inverleith. But the result was finally confirmed with a 34th minute strike by Claire Joss.

Again Watsonians seemed to struggle to dominate in the first half against Wildcats, Sarah Jamieson gave the Edinburgh side an early lead but Zara Kennedy replied for the Cats just before the interval for a 1-1 score.

The score advanced to 2-2, Emily Dark scored for Watsonians but again Alex Stuart levelled from the spot. Watsonians victory was only secured in the final six minutes, Dark scored again, then in the closing two minutes Mairi Drummond and Jamieson again finally gave Watsonians a 5-2 victory.

Champions Clydesdale had a narrow escape in their second match against Inverleith, it was 1-1 going into the final two minutes before Jen Eadie saved the blushes with a penalty corner strike for a narrow 2-1 win. It took Clydesdale well into the second quarter to take the lead through a penalty corner strike from Frances Lonergan.

You might have expected the floodgates to open thereafter, but no and that is how the score stood until half way through the final quarter when Steph Bain upset the odds by equalising for Inverleith – setting up a tense final five minutes for the champions.

The Tayside derby between Wanderers and Grove Menzieshill was a closely contested affair but it was the former who took the honours on the day by 2-1. In only two minutes Jess Martin put Wanderers ahead and three minutes later Amy Snelle doubled their tally.

That proved to be the end of Wanderers contribution to the goal front and that is how the score stood until the final minute when Florie Mitchell finally scored for Grove but too late to influence the result.

The final game of the day produced the only draw of the day with Edinburgh University and Wildcats sharing four goals.

Wildcats were a goal ahead at the break through Ales Stuart. Four minutes into the third quarter Ruth Blaikie had levelled at a penalty corner and with five minutes left captain Kathryn Meenan put the students 2-1 ahead. But the Cats were not to be denied and Stuart equalised for a 2-2 final score.

Recent posts:

• A weekend of play-offs and Grand Finals to round of this season`s Premiership
• Great Entertainment at U16 National Cup Finals
• Grange have secured the men`s Premiership title while Watsonians women finished on top undefeated
• The last games in this season`s Premiership and loose ends still to tidy up
• Women’s Scottish Cup finalists confirmed
• Grange are just about there in the race for the Men`s Premiership title
• Men`s Premiership title in Grange`s own hands while Women’s Scottish Cup semis get underway
• Watsonians claim women’s Premiership title while Men’s Scottish Cup Final places are confirmed
• Edinburgh University win but Watsonians could seal the women`s title against Wildcats
• Watsonians women and Grange men return from Euros in search of domestic silverware