Western take the men`s Premiership title in style in a big weekend of Premiership action

Western Wildcats took the men`s Premiership title for the first time since 2004 following a 7-2 win over Grange at Auchenhowie today, they now have an unassailable eight point lead and retain their season`s unbeaten record. Meanwhile in the women`s competition Edinburgh University moved level with Clydesdale Western in the race for the runners-up spot and a place in Europe next season.

Western might have won the Auchenhowie contest 7-2 but it was Grange who took the lead with an Albert Rowling direct shot at a penalty corner.

But back came Western, their penalty corner broke down and the ball fell to the original striker Andrew McConnell who fired it into the bottom corner for the equaliser. And before half time Rob Harwood was tripped in the circle and McConnell converted from the spot for a 2-1 home lead.

Grange had the better of the third quarter, at another penalty corner Peter Caughey pounced on the rebound and volleyed the ball into the net for the equaliser. Grange could have built on their advantage but proceeded to waste four penalty corners and a spot opportunity.

Western took full advantage, and as the Grange legs tired after last weekend`s EuroHockey League exploits, proceeded to pile in five goals in the final quarter. A slip left by Jonny Christie allowed Harwood to deflect in for a 3-2 lead, then McConnell netted from a direct hit at a penalty corner for his hat-trick and a 4-2 lead.

Up stepped youngster Adam McKenzie with a couple of open play goals, the first he flicked over the keeper and then sent a reverse stick shot into the bottom corner. Finally a pass from Harwood set up Christie to first time into the net for the seventh…and the title.

Photo by Mark Pugh

On the game Western`s coach Vishal Marwaha said: “It was a grand occasion in front of our biggest crowd of the season, I thought we just edged the first half, but Grange put us under pressure in the third quarter, then we played our natural game in the final quarter and the goals flowed.”

On the title he remarked: “This has been a fantastic achievement, this season we have been far more consistent and we have risen to the occasion in every game.

“There are always key moments in all games when you have to deliver, in the past we have lost some of these games, but this season we have always responded and come away with a win in the end.

“This was a fantastic team performance, the whole squad has contributed to this success and all deserve to celebrate the occasion, not just those who played today but the full squad.”

So what happened elsewhere?

In the other top six men’s match Watsonians recorded a 7-1 win over Dunfermline Carnegie… and penalty corner expert Dan Coultas scored four. The other goals came from Murdo MacDonald, Danny Cain and Thomas Swarbrick, Andrew Doyle scored from the spot for the Fifers.

The top of the lower half between Inverleith and Uddingston ended in a thrilling six all draw. The home sides goals came from doubles by Xavax Cordero and Kyle Taylor with Livio Belotti and Tom Barton getting the others. Uddingston`s scorers were on a similar vein, two each for Jonny McDonald and Louis Gardiner with Finn Halliday and Alex McGregor supplying the others.

Kelburne finally secured their safety in the top flight with a 4-0 win over Grove Menzieshill, there were two goals for Jay Berry while Scott Peters and Mikey Nicol got the others.

Dundee Wanderers are confirmed in the relegation play-off spot after going down 7-0 to Hillhead in a comfortable victory. Here there were doubles for John Reid and Matt Carder while Andrew Black, Fraser Ward and Murray Ross also netted.

In the women`s Premiership Edinburgh University are still in the hunt for the runners-up spot and a place in Europe after an convincing 8-1 win over Hillhead. The students are now level on points with Clydesdale Western and with a slightly better goal difference, but both sides have two goals left, including a head to head on Tuesday.

Ava Smith was top scorer with a hat-trick, Jess Ross got a double while Katie Swanson, Jenny Walls and Ava Findlay were also on target.

Wildcats found their shooting sticks with an 8-0 win over GHK, but still remain in fifth place on goal difference from Hillhead. Here there were two goals each for Kate Holmes, Rona Stewart and Rachel Bain with others coming from Amy Grassom and Lucy MacMillan.

In the lower half Uddingston extended their lead at the top with an odd goal in nine win. Uddingston were 3-1 ahead until their keeper Heather Elder was sent to the sin bin and the score reverted to 3-3, but the Lanarkshire side finally came out with a 5-4 win.

There were two goals each for McKenzie Bell and Caterina Neil and one for D`Arcey Campbell while the students` scorers were Corrie Hay, Catriona Humphery, Emily Simmers and Lucy Smith.

Although already relegated, Erskine Stewarts Melville finally recorded their first point of the campaign with a 2-2 draw at Gordonians. The home side`s scorers were Hannah Mitchell and Heather Howie from the spot. Kerrie Craig and Jenni McNaught levelled for the Edinburgh side.

Dundee Wanderers continued their good run of form with a 4-2 win over Tayside rivals Grove who are already in the relegation play-off scenario. Hannah Young at a penalty corner and Jess Martin put Wanderers two in front while former Scotland striker Ailsa Wylie replied for Grove Menzieshill by half-time.

Young added a third for Wanderers in the second half before Lucy Murray pulled another back for Grove. But the result was sealed with a deflection into the top corner of the net by Vikki Bunce for a 4-2 winning score.

 

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top