West League Update (West 1) - 23rd October 2018

There were a couple of unexpected results in West 1 at the weekend, but the good things is, we have a league title race that’s been blown wide open.

Based on our Predictor odds, Greenock Wanderers were firm favourites to win on their visit to Garnock.  75% of us went for the league leaders who were, until Saturday, unbeaten (though they did draw with Kilmarnock).  But it was Garnock who came away with the victory, and by the sounds of it, deservedly so.  A powerful display from a forward pack who kept the league leaders under pressure for large chunks of the game, and a pretty decent kicking display kept the scoreboard ticking over in Garnocks favour.  Despite the win, Garnock drop one place to fifth as Annan picked up a bonus point win.  Greenock drop two places to third.

East Kilbride jump ahead of Greenock, but as we watched the match unfold via Twitter, this one looked like it was going to be Endrick who were giving us the weekends shock result.  They led for chunks of the game, before EK finally got on top after about 60 minutes, adding three tries in the final 20 minutes.

Glens move into third place following a convincing 57-10 home win against Irvine.  Annan's tight 32-29 win against Stewartry (which also doubled up as the first leg of the Chisholm Cup), moves them into fourth, one point ahead of Garnock.

The Garnock result blows the title race wide open, as we now have five teams separated by only 6 points.  Each week is going to give us some really juicy fixtures to look forward, and this weekends big games sees Glens hosting Annan, so 2nd v 4th.  Glens are scoring more and conceding fewer, so we’ve got them as slight favourites for this one.

Leaders East Kilbride visit Irvine who have picked up a number of results at home so far this season, but EK should win this one.  However, the first 60 minutes at Fintry suggests there’s hope here for Irvine. Away win.

Greenock will be looking to quickly get back to winning ways when Endrick visit.  The current league position suggests this should be a comfortable home win, but having held their own for 60 minutes against EK does give the impression that Endrick are starting to find a bit of last seasons form.

After their difficult start to the season, Garnock have indeed regained last seasons form, so we’re expecting them to win at Cumnock, but with a decent away win at the weekend, Garnock certainly shouldn’t be taking their trip to Netherthird for granted.

Following Kilmarnocks draw with Greenock a few weeks ago, they seem to have picked up a bit of confidence.  With their impressive  27 -17 home win over Cambuslang, it’s now two wins on the bounce, and up to 8th.  Cambuslang themselves are a bit of mixed bag.  They seem to struggle against the title challengers (though they did earn a draw against Annan and only lost by a point to EK), but are tending to get the better of those in the bottom half (though some of these have also been tight - Irvine 3 points, Stewartry 5 points). They’re currently sitting in sixth, but a few points either way in some of these games and they could be a few positions higher, or a few positions lower.

Kilmarnock will be looking to build on their recent success when they visit Stewartry, but Stewartry ran title challengers Annan close at the weekend.  They’re both on 13 points and both capable of scoring plenty of points, it’ll be tight, so we’ll go with home advantage.

Since coming down from National 3, Dalziel are struggling to find their feet in the Regional leagues.  This week they visit Cambuslang, who as we say have had a number of close contests to date.  Dalziel's sole victory came away at Kilmarnock, who last week beat, yes that’s right, Cambuslang, but prior to the weekend, Cambuslang only defeats had been to the leagues current top 3.  This feels like a home win, but if you’re a Dalziel fan you’re looking at how close some of Cambuslangs victories have been and you’re thinking this could be your day.  A win for Dalziel could see them move ahead of Strathendrick.

We’ve got five teams duelling it out at the top of the table for a single promotion spot to the National leagues, but there’s a bit more uncertainty down at the foot.  Things are complicated by not knowing how the placement of the Super 6 second teams is going to be handled, whilst moving back to Regional leagues of 10 adds to the uncertainty.  Additionally, we have the usual unknown of whether there will be any West Clubs down from the National leagues (currently Hillhead Jordanhill are in the bottom 3 relegation zone of National 3, but it’s pretty tight down there).

The Autumn Tests may be coming up, but you’ll still find plenty of action taking place in West 1 over the next few weeks that will help shape the final outcome of the league.

Submit your entry to this weeks Predictor Challenge here.

Photo Galleries:
Allan Glens v Irvine


West League Update - 23rd October 2018
   West 2
   West 3 

See also:
West 1 Update - 15th October 2018