Smith’s strike is in vain

IN a women’s hockey National League Division One play-off semi, Grove Menzieshill opened the scoring against Clydesdale Western but could not retain the initiative handed them by Georgia Smith.

Heather Howie and Susie Gillman turned the advantage to Western before half-time and Lexi Sabatelli added a third in the second half to end Grove’s involvement.

Edinburgh University, winners of the league, were strong favourites to reach the final and so it proved.

They opened up a two goal lead but a single by Watsonians was all they could manage before the University eased to a 5-1 win.

Edinburgh University secured their status as Scotland’s premier reps in Europe but the grand final against Clydesdale Western was more closely contested than their semi.

Sam Judge opened the scoring for Edinburgh towards the end of the first half and that looked to be decisive.

Edinburgh failed to capitalise on a number of scoring opportunities and Clydesdale struck back through Sabatelli to take the match into a penalty shootout.

Edinburgh won this 3-1 for the premier Euro place but both will represent Scotland next season.

Domestic games are now concluded but Edinburgh University and Clydesdale Western will both be in action in this season’s European Club Challenge being held from Friday to Tuesday.

This is being held in the University grounds at Peffermill, Edinburgh.

Edinburgh University will play Metrostroy (Russia) on Friday, Swansea City on Saturday and Rot Weiss Wettingen (Switzerland) on Sunday, all at 4.45pm.

Clydesdale Western will take on Gintra Strekte University (Lithuania) on Friday, Braxgata (Belgium) on Saturday and CUS Pisa (Italy) on Sunday, all at 12.15pm.

There will be a crossover match for each team on Monday with the aim being to be in the top two for promotion.

Grange EL, second bottom in Division One, and Inverleith, second top in Division Two, lost their matches to Hillhead and GHK and faced a further play-off. Grange won 2-1 to stay in Division One.