Hockey: Watsonians relegated without win

CALUM WOOD believes Watsonians have real potential as a club with promising players already filtering through from the school into the first team.

However, the former Scottish international will have to hone their talents in Division Two next season.

Watsonians were relegated from the elite of Scotland’s men’s hockey yesterday after a 3-1 home defeat by Hillhead.

The Edinburgh team have failed to win any of their 13 matches since returning to Scotland’s top league.

And they have only gained two points after being promoted at the end of last season.

Relegation is a blow to the club, but Wood has a nucleus of a side providing he can retain former Scottish international goalkeeper Colin Johnstone and stalwart Magnus Ferrier, who netted yesterday.

He has been a consistent 
factor this season and Wood has blooded several promising schoolboys.

Elsewhere, Edinburgh University moved on to 15 points and saved themselves being dragged into the play-offs when they drew 1-1 with Inverleith.

On Saturday, Aberdeen beat Watsonians 5-3 in Edinburgh to secure their third straight league win.

Two goals each from Stuart
Allan and Ian Coffee and 
another from Martin Babicky proved decisive.

Coach Craig Harper, a former Grange player, said: “We were never behind and always in control.”