In West 1, a Carrick win over Allan Glens opens up a gap at the top of the table whilst Irvines win against Cambuslang pulls Cambus into the battle for the 2nd relegation spot - but the win for Dalziel could remove that risk.
With a 3pm kick-off, we didn’t make it to Maybole to take in the top of the table clash between Carrick & Glens, but following things on Twitter, it looks like we missed a great contest. It was all square at half time at 5 each, and a try a piece in the first 10 minutes of the second half meant with half an hour to go it was 12 all. But from the 50th minute, it was Carrick who did all the scoring, adding another three tries to give a final score of 34 - 12.
The bonus point win, and no bonus point for Glens, means the Carrick lead stretches from two to seven points, though Glens do have a game in hand. The return leg between the two is currently scheduled for 12th May. We plumped for Glens in our predictions, but this result moves Carrick into slight favourites.
Garnock had no game at the weekend so they too also have a game in hand on Carrick, but at 12 points behind, it’s maybe too much of an ask for them now. Garnock also have Glens still to play.
Each of the three contenders have home games this weekend, where wins will be the minimum required, but the added bonus point will also be crucial.
In the battle for fourth, East Kilbride had a comfortable 43 nil win away at Helensburgh, whilst Greenock won 19-5 at Kilmarnock (only their second away win of the season). EK should now have enough points to secure fourth place ahead of Killie.
In the other games, which all affect the foot of the table, Annan v Oban was postponed due an unplayable pitch, whilst in the other clash, Irvine won a close fought contest with Cambuslang 19-17.
Irvines win comes on top of last weeks victory over Helensburgh, and pulls them onto 18 points with Cambuslang. Oban are 10 points behind, but they have three games in hand on Cambuslang and one on Irvine.
Helensburgh are marooned at the foot on nil points. Each of the contenders for that second drop place still have Helensburgh to play, whilst Oban have to play both Cambuslang and Irvine, so it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that they could close on both - however, they also have Carrick to play twice and Garnock. So, just as it is tight at the top, so too it is at the foot.
The twist in the tale of this relegation battle comes from National 3. If no West Club is relegated, then we’re guessing it will only be one team down in each of the West Regional leagues (can anyone confirm?).
A few weeks ago, Dalziel looked odds on to be coming down to West 1, but a win at the weekend against Ardrossan following so closely their win against Orkney makes things less clear cut. Dalziel are currently in the second drop spot, tied on the same points as Orkney, both being one ahead of Haddington. It’s another tough league and wins will be hard to come by, so bonus points will be crucial, however, Dalziels run-in is perhaps a little easier than their challengers.
West 2 Update - 11th March 2018
West 3 Update - 11th March 2018
A few weeks ago, Dalziel looked odds on to be coming down to West 1, but a win at the weekend against Ardrossan following so closely their win against Orkney makes things less clear cut. Dalziel are currently in the second drop spot, tied on the same points as Orkney, both being one ahead of Haddington. It’s another tough league and wins will be hard to come by, so bonus points will be crucial, however, Dalziels run-in is perhaps a little easier than their challengers.
West 2 Update - 11th March 2018
West 3 Update - 11th March 2018
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