Rugby by John Preece
Edinburgh lost their last match of the season 15-13 to Leinster. Edinburgh scored early on with a penalty, but Leinster soon came back with a try to take a 5-3 lead. Not long after that, Edinburgh came up with a try, but the final pass was adjudged to have been forward, so they had to settle for a penalty after 30 minutes. Leinster hit back in the second half with a penalty and a converted try to take the lead 15-6, but Edinburgh rallied to score a converted try of their own with 15 minutes left. In spite of sustained pressure on the Leinster defence, Edinburgh couldn’t score again and so finished the match 15-13 and ended up the season in eighth place – their highest since 2011 – in the final RaboDirect PRO12 Championship. Next season, there will still be the same 12 teams involved in, what used to be, the Celtic League, but as yet, a new sponsor has not yet been announced. (Photo from Murrayfield)
Football
A first half goal from Kris Boyd confirmed Kilmarnock’s top flight status for next season and consigned Hibs to the play offs against either Falkirk or Hamilton.
Hearts fans travelled in their numbers to Paisley where they cheered their players to a 1-1 draw with St Mirren as Dale Carrick cancelled out Conor Newton’s strike.
Scottish Sun Lowland League
Edinburgh City 7-2 Vale of Leithen
Gretna 2008 1-1 Preston Athletic
Selkirk 0-3 Gala Fairydean Rovers
Post Threave Rovers v Dalbeattie Star (rearranged date to be advised)
University of Stirling 3-2 Spartans
Central Taxis East of Scotland League Cup final
Hibernian EOS 4-1 Craigroyston (at Civil Service Strollers F.C.)
Women’s football
Congratulations to Hibernian Ladies who reached the final of the Scottish cup with an impressive 3-0 win over Celtic at Recreation Park. The victory was secured with goals from Lucy Graham, Siobhan Hunter and Zoe Johnstone.
Speedway
On Friday, the Edinburgh Monarchs announced the sad news of the death of supporter Lesley McRobb, daughter of Beth and Colin, who passed away in her sleep on Tuesday night at the tragically young age of 35.
At Armadale her favourite was captain Derek Sneddon. Derek was of course upset to hear the news and said “Lesley always made a point of coming and speaking to me. To be taken away at 35 is just so sad.”
The Edinburgh Reporter joins Monarch’s fans in sending our sincerest condolences to Lesley’s family and friends.
On Saturday, the Monarchs travelled to Plymouth where they defeated the Devils 52-40 with a fine performance.
Hockey by John Preece
Scotland’s men drew 3-3 with Wales in the first of a two match friendly series in Glasgow. The match turned out to be an end to end thriller with never more than one goal between the teams as each took turns to lead. Wales were first to score from a penalty corner, but Scotland pulled level with open play goal. Another PC goal for Wales was disallowed and Scotland drove straight up the field to score and take the lead. Wales then drew level with another PC gaol to end the half 2-2. Ten minutes into the second half. Wales went back into the lead with another PC goal, before, again, Scotland pulled level with a penalty flick awarded for feet on the line. The match ended with Wales clearing a ‘fumbled’ Scottish PC to end the match all square.
Photo by John Preece
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography
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.
