With the final scheduled Premiership weekend earlier than the winter break approaching, bringing to an finish the primary part of the competitors, it’s time to evaluate the present state of affairs and the few eventualities but to be determined.
The highest of the ladies`s Premiership continues to be pretty tight, Watsonians are in pole place with an ideal document, three factors forward of Clydesdale Western with Edinburgh College trailing an extra seven factors adrift. Watsonians’ benefit got here courtesy of Tuesday night`s 10-2 win over Uddingston in a catch-up fixture. Fiona Burnet was high with 5, maybe not shocking Sarah Jamieson picked up a hat-trick and Jenna Park together with Emily Darkish had been additionally on course.
The Edinburgh college students have dropped factors in attracts in opposition to St Andrews and Wildcats, and final weekend went down 4-1 to Clydesdale, however they’re nonetheless within the combine. On Saturday they host leaders Watsonians and one other reversal would undoubtedly set them additional adrift. Lately video games between these two Edinburgh rivals have been shut, and Saturday`s encounter is more likely to be no completely different, particularly if Jojo Muhl brings her capturing stick.
Regardless of the end result, Clydesdale coach Fiona Semple will need to sustain the stress with the three factors at Uddingston.
Uddy`s type of late has been pretty good and so they lie in seventh place, inside a stone`s throw of the highest six. However they should see off a free-scoring Clydesdale to make that aspiration a actuality – a tall order you may assume, however then once more you by no means know.
Actually the race for a high six slot continues to be large open. From the present high six it entails St Andrews College, GHK, and Grange, all have performed ten video games, and sit on 17, 16 and 15 factors respectively. Uddy sit on 14 whereas Wildcats, in eighth, are on 12 however with an extra recreation to observe – so it`s all up for grabs.
You’ll fancy St Andrews to win in opposition to Inverleith and GHK to beat Hillhead, in order that leaves the essential Grange v Wildcats conflict in Edinburgh. It is vitally a lot of a winner-take-all situation. A Grange win would see them protected on 18 factors whereas a Cats victory would enable them to leapfrog the Edinburgh aspect into sixth place – and so they nonetheless have an impressive recreation in opposition to Glasgow College to observe.
Present type would counsel a Grange triumph, they gained three in a row till final weekend`s 5-1 defeat at St Andrews. In distinction the Cats have taken solely two factors from their final 5 video games, however they will rise to the event when it’s wanted. Must be an fascinating encounter!
Just a little convoluted however Saturday ought to lastly decide the highest six formation.
Lastly, the all-university conflict sees Glasgow take the lengthy journey to Aberdeen – each seeking their first win of the season.
The lads`s Premiership can also be aggressive going into the ultimate recreation of the primary stage. Edinburgh College, after current spectacular wins and striker Jamie Golden on hearth in entrance of objective, are on 25 factors, a lead of three factors over Watsonians with Western Wildcats an extra two behind – nevertheless, the scholars have performed a recreation or two extra.
Then behind are ESM Lions and Uddingston on 20 factors with just one recreation left. All 5 are assured of a high tier end already.
Will any of this transformation on Saturday? Edinburgh end their programme at house to Grange. A yr in the past that might have been a difficult encounter however sixth positioned Grange are having an up and down season and must be on high type to stem the Golden and co scoring spree.
That takes us fairly properly to the ultimate high six place for the second half of the season. Grange sit on 16 factors, three forward of Hillhead however with a major objective benefit. And the Glasgow aspect are at Watsonians for his or her remaining recreation, a difficult prospect. Hillhead have made a late surge, unbeaten within the final 4 video games, and must proceed their high type to hope to defeat the aspect mendacity second.
Wildcats are the one unbeaten aspect within the league and in the event that they win their final three matches, they may soar to the highest. Nevertheless, Saturday`s away fixture at ESM Lions is likely to be a problem for the Wildcats in a jungle encounter. ESM are as soon as once more a high six aspect with six wins out of ten video games however once more had been unable to make a profitable impression on both Edinburgh College or Watsonians…so will they fare any higher in opposition to the Wildcats? Saturday will inform!
So that may enable Uddingston to reclaim fourth spot as they welcome St Andrews College at house. Uddy`s bubble was deflated barely by 4 objectives from Jamie Golden final weekend, solely their second defeat of the league season, and they’re going to hope to stop one other reversal in opposition to the underside aspect within the division.
And so to the underside tier of the Premiership. There`s the drama of the Tayside derby between Grove Menzieshill and Dundee Wanderers. Factors are nonetheless at a premium to avoid the underside two locations, and there’s Tayside delight at stake, and it’s by no means an encounter for the faint-hearted. So an fascinating afternoon in Dundee is anticipated.
The Clydesdale administration can be trying to carry their aspect off second backside spot, and the possibility comes at Titwood in opposition to Inverleith. The motivation is that the Dale would leapfrog the Edinburgh aspect on objective distinction if the three factors had been secured…however as at all times, there is no such thing as a assure.
The fixture card is actually an thrilling one.
