Fractions appear in Edinburgh camp as Thirds beat Fourths in quarters

Last Wednesday saw four Edinburgh hockey teams attempting to stamp their authority on the knock-out stages of the Scottish Conference Cup. On a cold, wet February afternoon, Napier faced the tricky task of Robert Gordon away, Edinburgh University's 2nd XI took on Stirling's first team at home and a local derby between the Edinburgh third and fourth teams rounded off the action.

The latter rivalry has already been pushed to new heights this year after previous face-offs in both Wednesday and Saturday leagues. The 4s have suffered three defeats at the hands of the 3s, meaning that this afternoon they were out to seek revenge and cut short the 3s' dream of obtaining the elusive treble.

The 3s settled into some sort of shape, and eventually towards the end of the half, space began to open and a number of chances were created. It was only thanks to a handful of superb saves from 4s keeper Alex Fedenczuk that denied the 3s a lead going into half time, and as the whistle blew the 3s were left scratching their heads wondering why they weren't already in front.

However, the re-introduction of the 3s' stalwart central defender David Munn provided the necessary momentum for the 3s to deliver two goals within a three-minute period, first from Hamish Tate and then from club top-scorer Michael Fenelon. The second goal was an exact mirror of the first, proving true the simple mantra of EUHC coach Dennis Hay that "if you can do it on the left, you can do it on the right." From centre defence on both occasions the ball was spread wide, moved quickly out of defence through midfield to the onrushing strikers, who made quick work of the opposition defence and rounded off a fine display of fluid pass-and-move hockey.

The score quickly leapt to 3-0, and the 4s looked dead in the water until the strike partnership of Steven Sedgwick and Will O'Brien surged forwards into the D. A square ball from Sedgwick which looked to be travelling harmlessly across the face of the goal was accidentally deflected into his own net by 3s midfielder Ali Wilding, to the delight of the 4s and the outrage of 3s keeper Andrew Scobie. But the comeback didn't last, and the whistle blew on a 4-1 scoreline.

Unfortunately, Edinburgh University were not to see two teams progress that day as the 2nd XI lost out 3-0 to an unusually strong Stirling side. Napier, however, came out on top with a well-deserved 4-2 victory of RGU - and given that they are currently on different sides of the draw with the 3rd XI, the prospect of an all-Edinburgh final remains on the cards. Both teams will now play in the semi-finals on 2 March at Peffermill.