Watsonians suffered mixed fortunes in the hockey Premiership. Their women, rusty after their European exertions indoors in Turkey last weekend, cruised to a comfortable victory over hard-working but overpowered Inverleith, but the club’s men were brushed aside by Western Wildcats, both at overcast Tipperlin.
First, Keith Smith’s squad and Emilia Berndes-Cade claimed a treble in the 7-0 victory which extended their unblemished run so far this term as they bid to defend the Premiership crown.
Scotland outdoor internationals, Sarah Jamieson, Katherine Holdgate and Emily Dark, all netted along with Sarah Mackay and Smith admitted they were “rusty” and had only been able to have two training sessions ahead of the game.
In truth, Watsonians dominated the fixture and Smith admitted: “It was never going to be flowing hockey (after playing indoors).”
The home side could have scored more, but complement Inverleith who dug in.
Smith and his pace-setting squad came to play for three points and that is what they achieved to move onto 30 points from their ten games so far this term.
They have now scored 68 goals and let in five. Struggling Inverleith are in the midst of a tough basement battle with Glasgow University, Hillhead and Gordonians and they have four points from their ten outings having scored nine and conceded 42.
Now the men. Skipper Rob Harwood scored a double, the second a deft deflection following a penalty corner, which rounded off the scoring for Wildcats, and there were singles from evergreen Jonathan Christie, Fraser Moran and Jack McKenzie.
The Auchenhowie combine were back to a full compliment of players with Andrew Lochrin, Hamish Galt and Luc Hermsen returning to the squad after missing the first half of the season, and Harwood had earmarked the trip to Edinburgh as a must-win game.
Watsonians pressed the second-placed team early on, but their determined play was undone by a goal from a penalty corner which broke the deadlock.
A defensive mistake led to No 2 and Christie popped up to slot from close in for the third. A slick move from the left earned the fourth, but former Great Britain player, Dan Coultas, the player/coach for Watsonians, slotted from a penalty corner to reduce the deficit.
Harwood had the final say with his goal and the skipper said: “Having Andrew, Hamish and Luc back could make a huge difference to us in the run-in.”
He added: “We knew they (Watsonians) would sit deep and I felt we dominated the game. We are in the business end of the season and this win was a good way to start our campaign in the top six.”
TOP PICTURE BY ALEX ROSE WHO CAPTURED WATSONIANS MEN’S ONLY GOAL AND ALL OTHER PICTURES BELOW BY NIGEL DUNCAN
Experienced news, business, arts, sport and travel journalist. Food critic and managing editor of a well-established food and travel website. Also a magazine editor of publications with circulations of up to 200,000 and managing director of a long-established PR/marketing company with a string of blue-chip clients in its CV. Former communications lecturer at a Scottish university and social media specialist for a string of successful and busy SMEs.
