The top two teams both lost, which potentially gives us a four horse race with two games (three in the case of Newton Stewart) of the season left, though more realistically, it's between current leaders Newton Stewart and Carrick.
Carrick gave the league leaders their first defeat of the season (8 points to 6), which puts them into second place, only four points behind. East Kilbride lost 29-12 at Irvine, which meant Carrick move ahead of them, and leaves them only one point ahead of Garnock who beat Kilmarnock 22-8. There are now only 7 points between first and fourth.
This weekend, Newton Stewart travel to Garnock, Carrick host Oban and East Kilbride host Kilmarnock. We can see 2nd & 3rd place teams winning, but the Garnock v Newton Stewart game could be tight, especially with the pressure now mounting on the leaders.
Carricks final game of the season is away at Helensburgh which we expect they'll to win. Newton Stewart have a much tougher task - Oban away and East Kilbride at home.
Two bonus point wins will put Carrick on 66 points, which means Newton Stewart need 6 points from three games to win the championship (their points difference is 145 better than Carrick). Two wins, and Newton Stewart are champions. One win and a couple of bonus points is probably also enough for them. So their trip to Garnock on Saturday is crucial; slip up and there's enormous pressure on them, and it may well be Carrick playing in National 3 next season.
At the foot of the table, it's looking ever more likely that Helensburgh will be playing their rugby in West 2 next season - they're now 12 behind Oban. Of the four games they have left, they have Annan to play twice, Carrick and Allan Glens - they'll be lucky if they get their points total into double figures. It's been a hard season for them, so they'll be looking to regroup in West 2 next season.
In the other games at the weekend, Annan beat Allan Glens 17-12, and Oban beat Helensburgh 47-25.
In National 3, Dalziel are still 13 points clear of the relegation battle, so it's looking like only one team down to West 1.
January 14th Results
West 1
West 2
West 3
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