There were a couple of big games at the top of West 1, with league leaders Carrick hosting fourth place East Kilbride, whilst Glens (who are leading the chasing pack) travelled to fifth placed Kilmarnock. It was bonus point wins for both the title chasers, which keeps the gap at 2 points in Carricks favour - Glens though have a game in hand. Third place Garnock, whose game against Oban was off, are five behind Glens. The title battle is between these three.
This weekends fixtures have Garnock making what could be an awkward trip to Kilmarnock whilst leaders Carrick visit Annan. Annan have won 3 from 4 since the Christmas break, but we're expecting Carrick to have too much for them, though the bonus point not a certainty. Glens have the "easier" of the fixtures as they welcome bottom of the table Helensburgh.
The crucial result in the relegation battle at the weekend saw Cambuslang win at home against Greenock, which puts them 8 points ahead of Irvine who currently sit in the second relegation slot. Irvines game at Helensburgh was off, which means they do have two games in hand on Cambuslang. The Oban game at Garnock was also off; we understand Oban couldn't field a team which, if true, means they'll be due another points deduction, reducing their current 12 point tally.
Helensburgh remain rooted to the foot of the table, but the second relegation place is between Irvine, Oban and Cambuslang. This weekend, Irvine travel to Stewartry for a toughie, whilst the big game sees Cambuslang travel to Oban - any wins between now and the end of the season will be crucial, but just as important will be picking up bonus points.
There was only one game played in West 2, but what an important game it was, with top team Paisley welcoming third place Lenzie. A win for Lenzie and they could move top - however despite the first half being tight, the final score was a more comfortable 32-13 win for Paisley.
Paisley are now nine points clear of Lenzie and with a game in hand, whilst second place Cumnock are 8 behind, but with a game in hand.
This weekend sees return match between Lenzie & Paisley, whilst Cumnock welcome Clydebank. Strathendrick are 10 points behind Paisley, though they are certainly not out of the championship race as they have two games in hand on Paisley. A win for Endrick at Millbrae and Lenzie overturning last weekends result would certainly make things interesting at the top.
Uddingston are in sixth, and at 14 points behind Paisley are probably out of the championship race, but they're only six points behind Cumnock in second place, so will be keeping an eye on the second promotion spot - a bonus point win against Birkmyre this weekend will keep them in the hunt.
In West 3, we had another Championship challenger match-up when third-place Wigtownshire visited Auldhouse to take on second place, and as yet unbeaten, Glasgow Uni Medics. It was the Medics who lost their unbeaten record, as Shire had a comfortable 27 nil victory. This cuts the gap between first and third to only five points, with the Medics having a game in hand on top place Bishopton and Shire with two in hand. Each of the three contenders have home games this weekend, and will be looking for bonus point wins.
In the other games, Shawlands strengthened their grip on fourth place with a 26-10 victory at Moffat, Lochaber jumped ahead of Cowal with a 58-7 victory, whilst the struggles for Lanark continued with an 88-7 defeat on the 3G at PSG.
Hyndlands game at Mull was off due to an unplayable pitch - which just adds to Mulls backlog woes (they've played only six games).
