Before the weekends games, West 1 probably was in reality already a three horse race, with Kilmarnock having played an extra couple of game on leaders Alan Glens. Killies Saturdays defeat to East Kilbride just confirms this.
Leaders Glens had a comfortable 52-20 win at home against Oban, chasers Garnock and Carrick both also won to keep the competition very much alive. Glens remain a point ahead of Garnock, and have a game in hand. Carrick are 9 behind Glens, but it's they who have a game on hand on the leaders.
Next weeks big game will be Glens visiting East Kilbride, who comfortably beat Kilmarnock 50 points to 5. Carrick visit Irvine and Garnock visit Greenock, where both the challengers will be looking to secure full league points.
At the foot of the table, the relegation battle looks like it's between 4 contenders. Helensburgh are propping up the table on 7 points, but they are only 6 behind Cambuslang who are in 9th, and they have two games in hand. Irvine and Oban are sandwiched between these two on 9 and 12 points respectively - each with one game in hand on Cambuslang.
Cambuslang host Helensburgh this Saturday, which is just as important as the EK v Glens game. Oban welcome Annan, which they'll look as a possible win, whilst Irvine host third place Carrick.
A couple of wins for those at the foot could drastically change their prospects, whilst accumulating bonus points could be the key difference come the end of the season. By the same token, a non-fulfillment and points deduction would be significant.
West 2 is enormously interesting at both the top and bottom of the table - in-fact, we doubt there will be any other league across the world of sport that is as competitive as this one.
There are only 7 points (possibly 6 if Strathaven can claim their bonus point from a game in October) between the top 7, whilst at the foot, there are three teams fighting out the second relegation spot. It leaves only WD and Birkmyre with little to play - Birkmyre almost certainly relegated having only one point, whilst WD are comfortably ahead of relegation, but not challenging the promotion race.
The top of the table clash between Cumnock and Cumbernauld was off as the Cumbie team was struck down by a bug, points deduction maybe on it's way unless Doctors lines can be provided.
Strathendrick move into second place with an impressive home win against Lenzie. Lenzie stay in the promotion race in 6th place, only 6 behind Cumnock and having played the same number of games. Endrick are one behind Cumnock and with a game in hand. There are currently three teams only 1 point behind Cumnock, though Cumbernauld and Uddy have played more.
Uddingston are up to fourth following a scrappy 12-5 win against WD. Uddy were the stronger team in the first half, but couldn't take more than a 12 nil lead into the second half, where the roles were reversed and WD dominated for much of the second half, and they should probably have secured the draw at the close following a period of sustained pressure in the Uddy 22, only to see the ball lost and cleared when rucking at the try line at the final whistle. It wasn't end to end thrills, but we can testisfy that the conditions were baltic, so it's a well done to all players who took to the pitch, which was in surprisingly good nick.
Clydebank picked up a crucial win at home against Birkmyre, whilst the Millbrae v Strathaven game was off due to an unplayable pitch.
Next week the pick of the games is Uddingston v Cumnock at the top, whilst Birkmyre v Loch Lomond should also be tight. However, with so many teams in the mix, each and every game is crucial for both promotion and relegation.
At the foot of the table, Lanark regained some pride with an impressive 30-23 victory at Hyndland, whilst Isle of Mull went down 49-12 Cowal. We'll need to wait to see if this results stands, as Mull travelled with only 12 players. The West Championship Committee have some flexiblity in applying the Championship Rules, but we're not sure if it extends this far.
This weekend sees Bishopton hosting Lanark, whilst the Uni Medics travel to Hyndland with Wigtownshire on the road to Shawlands. In the other games, Lochaber make the trip to Pollock Park to take on Police Scotland Glasgow, whilst 10th place Mull journey to Moffat where they will be looking to close the points gap on their opponents who are one place ahead of them.
Updates:
08012018 - 12:30
08012018 - 15:20
