The West Championship title race got a little closer at the weekend, and possibly saw one of the challengers drop out of contention.
The big game was at the Bearyards where 2nd placed Allan Glens hosted 3rd placed Garnock. Things didn't get off to a great start with the ref knocked on his backside in the first minute and needing medical attention, which for a couple of minutes looked as though we could have an abandoned game. Thankfully Andy got back up and carried on as though nothing had happened.
Garnock took an early lead with a penalty and followed it with another (from the halfway and out towards the touchline - pretty impressive stuff). There was plenty of toing and froing, but few opportunities, though a slack clearance kick approaching the half-time whistle allowed Glens to counter-attack and score in the corner. Conversion was missed with gave us a 5-6 score at the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first where there was plenty energy but few clear cut opportunities. There was another try for Glens (again from a clearance kick that wasn't the greatest which led to relative straightforward run-in), as well as a couple of penalties for the hosts giving a final score of 18-6. The scoreline was probably a bit unfair on Garnock, as there wasn't really that much between them. However, at the end of the day, it leaves Garnock seven points behind leaders East Kilbride, and with only four games remaining, it probably means they're now out of the running for the title.
A big 88 nil win for Greenock moves them back to third, and closes the gap to EK to six points, with Greenock having a couple of games in hand.East Kilbride still have Garnock to play, whilst the last game of season sees Allan Glens travelling to Fort Matilda to take on Wanderers. It's tight at the top, and it looks like it could go all the way to the last game of the season.
There was only one other game in West 1 on Saturday and that saw bottom team Dalziel visit Fintry to take on ninth place Strathendrick. The Predictor Odds had this one down as a comfortable win for Endrick, but it looks like it was a tight battle with Endrick winning only 18-13.
The win takes Endrick four clear of Cambuslang, whilst the lose bonus point for Dalziel means they're now only four points behind Cumnock.
With Clubs still to agree what's happening with relegation, it's keeping things a bit on edge down at the foot of the table.
If it's leagues of 10, then it could be three down, leagues of 12 and it might only be the one going down to West 2 (each of these outcomes depends on whether or not Hillhead Jordanhill are relegated from National 3).
Cambuslang are currently third from bottom, four points behind Endrick, but they have only one game remaining (Endrick) compared to Endricks five. A win for Cambus against Endrick on 2nd March will make things a bit tricky for Endrick. They have Dalziel to visit before a final three game schedule of EK, Glens and Greenock.Cumnock are 12 points behind Cambuslang, but have four games in hand, but their run-in doesn't look great either as it includes EK as well as two games against Glens. But then again, Dalziel won't exactly be praising the fixtures gods either as they have still to play both Glens and Garnock, with the last scheduled game on 13th April seeing them visit Cumnock, for what could be a relegation decider.
Allan Glens v Garnock Highlights
In this weekends Predictor Challenge we have some interesting games to consider. EK v Cumnock looks like a home win, whilst Glens at Dalziel should be an away win.
Third place Greenock away at Irvine is a bit more awkward. Greenock need the win, but Irvine at home is tricky. We'll go away way, but this has the potential to ruin Greenocks title aspirations.
If Garnock have any hope of staying in the title race, then Saturday is a must win (with bonus point) against Stewartry, which we'll pencil in.
Kilmarnock v Annan could be tight, so we'll go with home advantage, and in the last game we have Strathendrick hosting Cambuslang. It's a must win for both. It seems like ages since Cambus won a game, whilst Endrick got the points at the weekend. We'll go with home advantage, but this will be tense - very tense.
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