West Region Rugby - Scotland: West 1 Update

A high scoring weekend in West 1 with 443 points scored and goodness knows how many tries (14 in the Irvine v Stewartry game), but with bonus point wins for each of the four title challengers, there's no change at the top of the table.

So EK are still top, 63 points from 15 games, with Garnock 9 points behind but they have two games in hand. Glens and Greenock are another 5 points behind, but they each have an additional game in hand.

West Results - 5th January 2019

It's going to be tight for the title and single promotion spot, and when it comes down to it, it could be bonus points that make the difference, and perhaps even points difference - which Glens is currently ahead on.

A look at the remaining fixtures and we see that all four have some awkward games still to play - EKs games include Garnock home and away, and Greenock away. Garnock have EK home & away, as well as both Glens and Greenock away. Glens have Garnock at home and Greenock away. Greenock have each of the challengers still to play, all at home.

But the weekends results show there's more to worry about that just their immediate challengers. A strong and dominant Irvine put 74 points passed Stewartry at the weekend (and Irvine have already beaten EK this season), whilst Cumnock put 57 passed Annan who not that long ago we're competing at the top of the table. Each of the four challengers have these two to play at least once in their remaining games.

Irvines win against Stewartry moves them up to 6th, and only a point behind Stewartry, who have played 5 game more. Based on the weekends performance, it will be no surprise if Irvine swap places with Stewartry over the next few weeks.

Dalziel are still at the foot of the table, and look certain to drop to West 2 next season, but who will join them as part of a 10 team league restructuring relegation battle. The weekends results made that debate a bit more interesting.

Cumnock currently occupy the second relegation spot, but their win against Annan on the new 3G pitch at Broomfield moves them to within 3 points of Kilmarnock, who lost at Fort Matilda. Cumnock have two games in hand, but these look to be Glens and Irvine, so can't read too much into this. More importantly, Cumnock and Kilmarnock face one another this weekend.

It currently looks like two down to West 2, but with Hillhead Jordanhill losing again at the weekend, they find they are only 5 points ahead of the third relegation spot in National 3, having played two games more. If HillJills come down from National 3 (or any other West Club), then we will be looking at three down from West 1 to 2.

A third team down not only makes things more risky for Kilmarnock and Cumnock, but also brings relegation into play for Strathendrick, Cambuslang and possibly Annan.

It makes for an interesting second half of the season, as there's much to play for in both the championship and relegation battle, with crucial games being played out in each round of games.

One of the weekends big games has leaders East Kilbride visiting 2nd place Garnock. Both are averaging over 30 points a game, whilst conceding maybe a couple of tries a game. It looks like there's going to be little in this one - it could see both teams scoring plenty of points, or alternatively it might be low scoring - we're going with the latter and home advantage being the significant difference.

Third placed Glens host Stewartry, who were got a bit of seeing to at Marress on Saturday, and we've got the feeling Glens will do something similar.

Greenock visit Dalziel Park for what should be a bonus point win for the title challengers, but interestingly, Dalziel scored 27 points against the league leaders at the weekend, which is the most they've scored this season.

If we're right about Stewartry losing to Glens, then Irvine have the chance to move into 5th, but they visit Fintry to take on a Strathendrick team who have won two of their last three games, so not a gimme, but we'll go away win following Irvines dominant display on Saturday.

Annan v Cambuslang is a crucial game in the relegation battle should HillJills come down. A win for Annan, and they'd surely be safe, but having played more than those around them Cambuslang desperately need the win in this one - they only have five games remaining. Cambuslangs away form hasn't been great so we're going with a home win.

The final game sees another relegation battle with 11th placed Cumnock visiting 10th placed Kilmarnock. Kilmarnock have lost their last four games, whilst Cumnock have won only 1 of their last four. They have similar points for and against averages, but with Cumnock having won only once away from home, we're going with Kilmarnock in this one.

Win, lose or draw, teams have got to chase bonus points as the battles at both the top and bottom of the table are going to be close, so a single point could make a significant difference come the seasons end.

West 2 Update
West 3 Update
Predictor Challenge Update