At a 47% success rate for last week compared to the wider Challenge success rate of 61%, we've got plenty of work to do to close the gap in this weekends fixtures.
We've got several West 1 v West 2 fixtures in the Shield, as well as Bowl and league games to navigate, so here goes:
Shield:
Clydebank v Kilmarnock - Clydebank going strong in West 2 having won three from four, whilst Kilmarnock struggling at the foot of West 1 with no win from four - though saying that they've only conceded 106 points in four matches where-as Clydebank have conceded 103 in four games. Home advantage and momentum with Clydebank - home win.
Lenzie v Allan Glens - another West 2 v West 1 game, and this time a local derby where we may see some sparks fly. Lenzie scored 176 and conceded only 29, Glens scored 121 and conceded 88 (50 of those last week against Greenock). Despite this being a derby, think this will show the difference between the top of West 1 and West 2 (as Strathendrick and Cumnock have found out) - away win.
Greenock Wanderers v Strathendrick - If this was at Fintry, then we could maybe make an argument for Endrick, however, it's not, home win.
Oban Lorne v Dalziel - another West 2 v West 1 tie, and this is an interesting one. Dalziel struggling to come to terms with regional rugby having come down from National 3, winning only one from four. Oban are unbeaten with four bonus-point wins, scoring 146 points in the process. It could be close but we're going with the lower league Club again.
Bowl:
Birkmyre v Isle of Mull - Mull traveled to Port Glasgow last weekend to take on Birkmyre on league duty with only 14 players - after 10 minutes they were down to 13 players but they managed to keep it tight until half-time going in 18-14 points ahead. However, they put Birkmyre to the sword second half, coming out with a 45-19 victory. They must have so much confidence going into this tie. In their other league games, Birkmyre have one won and lost one (Lochaber). It's a question of whether Birkmyre can recover from last weeks defeat - away win.
Glasgow Uni Medics v Shawlands - Shawlands had a big win against Moffat in the previous round of the Bowl, but have won only one in the league. They've had two heavy defeats on league business, including from the Medics. This should be a home win.
West 1:
Cambuslang v Stewartry - It's 7th v 11th - they have both lost to 1st & 2nd (Greenock & EK), and they have both beaten Cumnock - could this be any closer? Cambuslang are scoring more and conceding fewer, and have home advantage, so will go with them - but expect it to be close.
Irvine v Garnock - another close one, this time between 5th & 6th. Two wins a piece with points difference of +29 and +30. Both have beaten Dalziel & Kilmarnock. Garnocks two defeats have been close contests with Annan & Glens (3rd & 4th), whilst Irvines two defeats have been away from home, last weeks came courtesy of a last-minute try at Cambuslang. It's another close one but will go away win this time.
Cumnock v East Kilbride - it's been a tough start to the campaign for Cumnock. They're currently in 9th having won only one from four, and they've shipped the most number of points in the league (189). EK are second having lost only one (by a point to Glens), so this should be a comfortable away win.
West 2:
Paisley v Uddingston - A win for Uddy on Saturday and they go top of West 2, with four wins out of five - so no pressure there then. Paisley are looking for only their second league win in five and are struggling at the foot of the table. It's a big game for both Clubs, but for different reasons. On average, Paisley conceding over 30 points a game, whilst Uddy scoring nearly 60. Away win.
Wigtownshire v Bishopton - Bishopton sitting fourth and any slip up from Uddy and they can go joint top. Bishopton have played four and won three whilst Shire have played four and lost four. But this one needs closer inspection. Three of Bishoptons wins have been against opponents sitting in the bottom half of the league, whilst three of Shires opponents are sitting in the top half of the league (including 1st and 3rd). The stats suggest it should be an away win, but we're going with a home win, but it might be tight.
Loch Lomond v Helensburgh - Lomond sitting at the foot of the table with no wins, and no bonus points, having scored only 19 points in three games. Helensburgh picked up their first win last weekend away at Millbrae and have three bonus points to their name. If Lomond have any hope of avoiding relegation, then they must win games like this. However, with them being docked three points for last weeks non-fulfillment, their focus is perhaps on something other than winning at the moment. Away win, but close.
Strathaven v Millbrae - Strathaven have won two from four, there was a loss to Oban and a two-point loss against Clydebank. Millbrae have lost three from three and were unable to field a team in another. In a similar position to Lomond where building a squad is perhaps more important than winning games. Home win.
West 3:
Waysiders / Drumpellier v Hyndland - In the second half of their game against Lochaber last week, WD looked very good. Play like this all season and few will be able to cope with them. Hyndland in 9th have scored 49 points yet conceded 148 - this is going to a sore one for them. Home win.
Lochaber v Police Scotland Glasgow - for 30 minutes or so last week Lochaber were the better team against WD, but with only one sub they couldn't keep up the tempo they were playing at. Guessing that at home and with another couple of players on the bench they will be very hard to beat. PSG had a big win last week against Moffat, but this is a very different proposition - home win.
Moffat v Cowal - Cowal have only played two games so far, but have two wins (including Uni Medics) and already scored 90 points. Moffat have played four and lost four, but that does include Lochaber and WD. Don't see them being able to score enough to register their first win. Away win with Cowal moving up to third.
Submit your own set of Predictions via this GoogleForm.
See also:
West League Predictor - 22nd September 2018
West League Predictor - 15th September 2018
West League Predictor - 8th September 2018
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