Firstly a big ‘Well Done’ to Andy and Judy Murray for helping raise considerable funds for the Prince’s Trust at a charity lunch at the Prestonfield Hotel on Friday. Also many happy returns to Hibs legend Pat Stanton who turned 69 on Friday. Pat played 399 times for his boyhood heroes before moving to Celtic in a swap deal with Jackie MacNamara, winning a League and Cup double. He captained Hibs to a famous 2-1 League Cup win against Celtic in 1972, and remains a popular figure around the club. On the field there were mixed fortunes for the capital clubs this weekend, but congratulations go to Spartans for reaching the second round of the Scottish Cup. In bowls, well done to Brunstane for lifting the Triples title in the ABT Machine Tools-sponsored finals at Hillside, and Boroughmuir Basketball team for an impressive start to the season.
Tennis
Andy Murray’s Olympic Gold bag and kit, including a signed ball used in the July final, which were donated to The Prince’s Trust Scotland by the double grand-slam winner’s mother Judy were auctioned at the Prestonfield Hotel’s ‘Lunch with an old bag’ event on Friday. In addition, an opportunity to join Murray at the opening of next year’s Wimbledon championships was also auctioned and opening bids began at £15,000 climbed to a final bid of £40,000, although Judy kindly agreed to offer exactly the same prize to a rival bidder if they matched that total, which they did.
Rugby Round-up by John Preece
Round Four of the RBS Premiership saw the first Derby match of the season as all three Edinburgh teams were involved in close encounters – of the scoring kind… That Derby match was between Currie and Edinburgh Accies, a match in which Accies took the narrow win, 22-20 at Malleny Park. The third Edinburgh side, Heriots, also squeaked a win against last year’s Champions, Ayr, beating the West coast side 20-19 at Goldenacre.
This leaves the teams in the same places in the league table as last week, Accies and Heriots third and fourth, with 13 and 12 points respectively, and Currie at the foot of the table with just two bonus points and no win points.
In the RBS National League all three teams were playing away from home. Both Boroughmuir and Watsonians maintained their unbeaten record, ‘Muir winning 39-21 at Peebles and ‘Sonians 27-26 at Hillhead/Jordanhill. Stewarts-Melville, however, continued their slide to the bottom, going down 45-20 to Selkirk.
Their table has Watsonians at the top with 19 points, the same tally as Boroughmuir, but ‘Sonians are ahead on points difference. Stew-Mel drop one place to seventh with six points from their four matches, five of which came in their first match of the season.
Photo at www.photoboxgallery.com
Rugby by Jonny Davis
Edinburgh Rugby got their RaboDirect PRO12 campaign at Murrayfield off to a winning start on Friday with the narrowest of victories against Newport Gwent Dragons , thanks to a last minute penalty from young stand-off Harry Leonard.
The capital side stretched to a 13-3 lead shortly after the half time break through a try from returning winger Tim Visser, yet were frustrated at being unable to push on and close out the game from there.
The Dragons soon pegged the home side back to 13-10 through a converted try from ex Gunner Richie Rees, who darted over for a touchdown from the back of a ruck just a yard from the try line.
The final 20 minutes were, for the most part, uncomfortable for Edinburgh fans who watched Dragons’ replacement kicker, Kris Brown level the scores at 13-13 with just 5 minutes to go.
Yet as Harry Leonard lined up in front of the posts and slotted the match-winning kick on 80 minutes, those nervy winces turned to relieved smiles as Edinburgh’s first home game of the season ended with an all important victory.
Speaking after the game, man of the match David Denton hailed the power of the Edinburgh scrum for its part in the victory. “We do have a really strong pack. We have got a great front row, two heavy second rows, and we showed tonight how they can win you games.
“If we can cut the errors out and improve our exits, I think we are going to be a team to be reckoned with.”
SPFL Football
There were mixed fortunes for the Edinburgh clubs this weekend, with a young Hearts’ side losing 3-1 to champions Celtic at Tynecastle despite a brave performance, whilst Hibs came from behind to grab the three points against St Johnstone in Perth.
Chris Commons gave Celtic a controversial lead with a well taken penalty after Jamie Hamill was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.
A deflected shot by Jason Holt gave the Gorgie faithful some home, but they could only hold onto the lead for seven minutes before former Hibs striker Anthony Stokes regained Celtic’s advantage. Neil Lennon’s men wrapped the game up with a late goal from new signing Teemu Pukki after good work from Stokes.
Stevie May gave St Johnstone an early lead with a well taken goal, but Hibs fought back and drew level before the break with a Paul Heffernan goal from close range after good work from James Collins and Scott Robertson.
Collins then scored his first goal for Hibs since signing from Swindon Town in the summer, to secure a valuable win.
Hearts remain bottom of the table on minus eight points whilst Hibs move up to sixth with eight points.
Next week, Hibs could do their neighbours some good by beating relegation candidates St Mirren at Easter Road, whilst Hearts make the long trip to face Ross County in Dingwall.
Scottish Cup
Spartans secured their place in the William Hill Scottish Cup 2nd Round draw with a 2-0 win against Edinburgh University at Peffermill on Saturday.
Spartans took the lead in the 35th minute when a Beesley in-swinging corner was met by Donal Henretty at the near post and his header flew past Valentine into the back of the net.
Just before the break, Spartans doubled their lead with another for header from Henretty, following a superb MacKinnon cross.
Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Donal Henretty
The draw for the second round will take place on Monday.
East of Scotland League
In the Premier Division, Tynecastle beat Spartans 2-1 at Ainslie Park whilst Heriot Watt went down 2-1 away to Stirling University.
Civil Service Strollers remain top with seven points from four games with Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale second with six points from two games. Heriot Watt remain bottom with no points from two games.
Lothian Thistle beat Easthouses Lily 2-1 after extra time at Saughton Enclosure and Leith Athletic beat Peebles Rovers 3-1 at Telford College in the Alex Jack Cup.
Hibs continued their 100% start to the Central Taxis First Division season, beating Duns 6-0 thanks to goals from Max Todd (two), Ryan Baptie (penalty), Jamie Beaton, Scott Martin and an own goal.
First team squad players Tim Clancy, Dean Horribine and Fraser Mullen started the match, but unfortunately Clancy had to leave the field with an injury after 33 minutes.
Afterwards Head of Academy Coaching James McDonaugh told the club website; “I thought we played well today, but, at times, we need to be tidier on the ball.
“I felt we lacked that smoothness today and never really got to our best. It’s a huge credit to the boys to be winning 6-0; even though it was maybe only a seven out of ten team performance.
“It’s always nice to keep a clean sheet and score a few goals. I have to be happy once again with my players.”
Hibernian EOS: Kleton Perntreou, Tim Clancy, Tom Gardiner, Bob Wilson, Ryan Baptie, Fraser Mullen, Dean Horribine, Scott Martin, Max Todd, Jamie Beaton, Gareth McCaffrey. Subs (used): Aaron Dunsmore, Euan Smith, Jason Cummings
The mini Edinburgh Derby between Hibs and Hearts under-20s will take place at Newtongrange’s New Victoria Park on Tuesday evening (17 September, kick off 7pm). Admission is £3/£1.
Women’s Football
Hibs travelled north to the Granite City where they won a hard fought encounter 3-2 thanks to three long range efforts from Lizzie Arnott (2) and Kirsty Smith, whilst Spartans drew 1-1 with Celtic thanks to a second half equaliser from Lana Clelland at Ainslie Park. Elsewhere Hutchison Vale lost 4-2 to Forfar Farmington at Saughton Enclosure.
The results leave Hibs in second place with 38 points from 17 games, 11 points behind Glasgow City. Spartans sit third with 29 points from 17 games. Hutchison Vale lie ninth with 16 points.
Speedway
The Edinburgh Scotwaste Monarchs went down 51-44, just missing a point, at Ipswich on Thursday night despite Craig Cook scoring a maximum 18 points, and race wins for Theo Pijper, Max Fricke and Jozsef Tabaka .
Afterwards John Campbell told the official website “Craig was absolutely magnificent, there was never any doubt he was going to win his heats.
“Jozsef had his best away match for a long time but it was just impossible to come off gate 4 in the last heat. I could have put Craig there but by that stage it would have been very hard even for him.
“Max unfortunately wasn’t fit enough when the track was deep early on. As well as his recent injury he’s been suffering from ‘flu as well.
“I thought we might have got an advantage in heat 14 but it wasn’t to be.”
On Saturday captain Derek Sneddon received a successful Testimonial at Armadale, a Four team event won by Newcastle (29), from the Rest of the World (28), Glasgow (23) and Edinburgh (23).
The turnout of riders included former Monarchs Les Collins, Frede Schott, Kenny McKinna, Peter Carr and Ryan Fisher.
On Sunday, the Monarchs travelled to Newcastle where they lost 49-41.
Ice Hockey
The Capitals lost 10-3 to Sheffield Steelers at Murrayfield Ice Rink on Saturday night.
The Steelers opened the scoring with a strike from Stephen Myer at 2.59. but within a minute the Capitals were back on level terms with a goal from player/coach Richard Hartmann at 3.42. The visitors regained the advantage through Maxime Lacroix at 6.16, then netted his second of the game at 10.48 to increase the visitors lead to 3-1. The Caps pulled it back 27 seconds later as Curtis Leinweber netted at 11.15 however the visitors struck twice through Jeff Legue at 17.15 and Tim Spencer at 17.42 gave them a three goal lead.
The second period was all one way as Steelers added a further two goals. Lacroix completed his hat trick at 28.41m then Rylan Galiardi gave the Steelers a five goal lead at 31.16.
Steelers’ Jason Hewitt netted at 41.46. then two further goals from the visitors from Robert Dowd at 48.11 and League with his second at 49.55 ended the scoring for the visitors. Leinweber then scored his second of the game at 51.57 to give the hosts a late consolation goal.
On Sunday the Caps lost 4-2 at home to Nottingham Panthers. Francis gave the visitors the lead at 3.19 then Lachowicz added a second at 11.30. Tomas Horna pulled one back for the Edinburgh side at 17.06 before Clarke made it three at 29.36 then Boxill scored a fourth at 35.16. Richard Hartmann pulled one back on 38.00, to end a disappointing weekend.
Basketball
Playoff and Scottish Cup Champions Edinburgh Kings beat reigning champions Stirling Knights 83-46 in the opening game of the 2013/14 season in front of a crowd of over three hundred at The Peak, and then Boroughmuir Blaze SM started the season with a 98-72 win over Dunfermline Reign in Fife.
On Saturday, Blaze continued their impressive form by hammering Stirling Knights 121-68.
Polonia Phoenix and Edinburgh University’s Claire Paxton, has joined Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, near Denver. CCU is a NCAA division II side and Paxton will play for them as from start next month. The 19 year old is the daughter of Scotland and British Lions star Iain.
Bowls
Edinburgh Bowling League Division 5 Brunstane caused a major upset when their trio of Ron Semray, Bruce Young and Tom Gallagher landed the Triples title in the ABT Machine Tools-sponsored finals played at Hillside, beating Division 1 champions Craigentinny represented by top players Craig McCall, George Johnstone and David Brown 17-4.
Boxing
Edinburgh takes on Glasgow at the Usher Hall on Friday, with eight youth and novice fights then eight elite amateur boxing bouts. Tickets £10 Upper Circle, £15 stalls, £20 Grand Circle and £30 Ringside. Info 07525477330
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
