West League Update - West 1 - 8th May 2018

Carrick continue their march toward the West 1 Championship title with a 62-25 win away at Greenock.  Their challengers, Glens and Garnock, also had wins - a comfortable 82 nil for Glens against Helensburgh, whilst it was much closer for Garnock at East Kilbride, where a last minute try gave Garnock a 25-17 win.

West Results - 5th May 2018

The results leave Glens still 2 points behind Carrick, whilst Garnock (who didn’t pick up a four try bonus) are 9 behind.  Glens have one game remaining, but Carrick and Garnock have two.

It could all be decided this weekend when Carrick make the trip to Bishopbriggs on Sunday to take on their closest challengers - there are though several possible scenarios.

A win or a draw, and Carrick take the Championship title.  However, even a win for Glens might not stop Carrick winning the title this weekend.  A couple of bonus points could see Carrick take the title on points difference, but that's not guaranteed.  A win for Glens, and less than two bonus points for Carrick, and it goes to the final Saturday of the season when Carrick welcome Annan on 19th May.

Carrick are favourites for the title (and sole promotion spot to National 3), but Glens and Garnock will be working hard to keep the pressure on despite time and games running out for them.

With Dalziel losing at Haddington in the National 3 relegation decider on Saturday, it’s now confirmed that they will be playing West 1 next season.  The knock-on effect of a West team being relegated from the National Leagues is that two Clubs will be relegated from West 1 to 2, and two from West 2 to 3.

Helensburgh were confirmed as relegated several weeks ago, and we're guessing they’ll be pleased when this miserable season is over - 82 nil last weekend at Glens is hard to take.

Now that the second drop spot is confirmed as becoming active, it’s Oban who currently occupy that 11th spot.  A 28-5 home win against Kilmarnock means they close the gap to both Irvine and Cambuslang who lost to Stewartry and Annan respectively.

Oban trail Irvine by 5 points, but they have three games remaining compared to two for Irvine.

This weekend Irvine welcome Garnock before traveling to East Kilbride on the final day of the season.  Oban however have only one of their three games currently in the schedule - Greenock away on the 19th, with Cambuslang at home and Annan away still unscheduled.

Cambuslang are three points ahead of Irvine, so not completely clear of that second drop spot.  They have two games remaining, the first of which is Wednesday this week when they welcome Annan to Coats Park.  Their remaining game is Oban away.

The second drop spot looks to be between Oban and Irvine, but Cambuslang are still not safe.  If Oban can get their games played, they would fancy avoiding the drop, but if they don’t fit them in, then surely they're the ones playing West 2 next season.

West 2 Update