Men’s Premiership: Grange 2, Western Wildcats 2; Watsonians 3, Uddingston 1; Kelburne 3, Clydesdale 6; Hillhead 4, Dundee Wanderers 4; Grove Menzieshill 4, Edinburgh University 4.
Andrew McConnell slotted home after full time from a penalty corner to end Grange’s six-game winning run.
The Great Britain under-21 international picked his spot and fired home, low to the goalkeeper’s right, breaking the resolve of last season’s Grand Slam champions and the early-season league pace-setters.
It was brilliant execution from Western Wildcats talented 19-year-old who has just returned from a major tournament in Malaysia.
And the risk management student, who had earlier coolly slotted home low to the left from a penalty flick to level at 1-1, said: “We’re going well and we are in a good position and our aim is the win the league this year.
“We’re also happy with the result as and we were really good late on in the game when Grange, who are a good side, had five penalty corners in a row.”
Grange still lead the table with 19 points from seven games and are three clear of second-placed Grove Menzieshill who drew 4-4 with Edinburgh University on Tayside after holding an early 3-0 lead.
Things changed after Grove had a player sent-off and the students claimed four goals to lead 4-3 only for Cyril Varghese to level eight minutes from time.
Grove coach Neil Allan said it was a fair result.
Back to Grange and Martin Shepherdson where team manager said the Stockbridge combine were disappointed after dominating most of the game and player/coach Callum Milne also hit the post following a flowing move in the second-half.
Crucially, Grange lost Great Britain international Dan Coultas, the club’s No 1 penalty-corner specialist, early in the game with a calf injury.
John McCluskey opened the scoring after 25 minutes only for McConnell to level ten minutes later.
Aussie sniper Josh McRae smashed the ball home after a slick half-turn in 49 minutes leaving the stage free for McConnell who celebrated by dropping his stick and holding his arms outstretched to be mobbed by his excited team-mates.
And Watsonians coach Mike Leonard celebrated an important win after their 3-1 home success over Uddingston which will provide a massive confidence boost.
Euan Burgess opened Watsonians’ account but Uddingston equalised mid-way through the first-half with a well taken corner.
Going in to the last quarter scores were level at 1-1, but Jamie Cochrane scored a penalty stroke and then Ally Dougall with a well-taken strike after an excellent pass from Paul Ritchie.
In Division Two, Inverleith thrashed a plucky Glasgow University side 14-2 at Edinburgh Academy to maintain pole position in the table.
They have an unblemished record of seven wins for 21 points, the same as Dunfermline Carnegie who won 6-1 at Grangemouth High School against Falkirk and Linlithgow.
Plaudits to Glasgow, however, for keeping going despite the big scoreline. They did not let their heads drop and worked hard throughout.
Indeed, the inverleith coach staff and players all felt that the students provided one of their toughest challenges so far this season with their speed and determination.
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