Edinburgh University fail in European bid

The students, who have already won the Scottish Cup and Division One, were edged 1-0 by arch rivals Grove Menzieshill at Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre.

Sam Judge, Edinburgh’s coach, warned that this would be a tough, tense tie and so it proved with Ailsa Wylie’s first-half goal separating the sides.

The Dundee outfit, who were runners-up to the students in the cup and league, now go on to represent Scotland in Europe next season.

Inverleith were today downcast after their brave bid to re-claim a slot in Division One after one season in Division Two fell at the final hurdle against Hillhead.

The Edinburgh club won the first-leg 2-1 thanks to a penalty corner strike from Richard Jess after 16 minutes and a field goal from Ross Jamieson eight minutes from time. Hillhead’s counter came from Scottish international Callum Duke after 34 minutes following a penalty corner award.

Yesterday, the Glasgow club levelled the tie on aggregate when Duke, who plays for Inverleith indoors, scored from a penalty corner after 47 minutes sending the tie into penalties.

Duke, Graeme Campbell and Craig Paterson netted for the West of Scotland club while captain Derek Salmond was the only Inverleith marksman as they went down 3-1 on penalties.

Erskine Stewart’s Melville ladies retained their place in Division One thanks to victory over Division Two hopefuls Grange Edinburgh Ladies.

Yesterday, Grange won 3-2 thanks to goals from Lee McNamara and a double from captain Beth Dodds. ESM’s marksmen were Ash Corry and Sue Davidson.

European play-off: women: Edinburgh University 0, Grove Menzieshill 1. Promotion/relegation play-off (men): second-leg: Hillhead 1, Inverleith 0 (agg: 2-2). Hillhead remain in Division One after winning penalty shootout 3-1; women: Erskine Stewart’s Melville 2, Grange Edinburgh Ladies 3 (agg: 7-5). All games at Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre.