Sunday 22 September 2019

West Region Update - 22nd September 2019

It's been a strange start to the new season with several games off already for various reasons, but after the weekends results we are starting to get a bit of structure to the leagues.


In West 1, Glens are again setting the pace, but they need to be wary.  They may have won Saturdays game at Kilmarnock, but they were down at the half time break to a youthful squad who are gaining experience very quickly.  Last seasons other contenders (East Kilbride and Garnock) are also unbeaten (though they have each played a game fewer), so it's looking pretty certain that this will again be a well contested league.

Other teams to keep an eye on include Stewartry who are also unbeaten, including the weekends derby win over Annan, and Lenzie who came up from West 2 last season.  Lenzies game against Garnock looks to have been an absolute cracker, with the lead swinging this way and that.  Garnock eventually claimed a one point victory with a try two minutes from time.

At the foot of the table, we have Strathendrick and Annan still to claim a win.  Having lost four games from four, Endrick only have a minus points difference of 42, whilst Annans is 43 after three games.  So it doesn't look like either are getting played off the park.

Until the weekend, Cambuslang did have a minus points difference of 158 after three games, so looked to be the whipping boys this season, but a massive 48-28 home win against Irvine at the weekend moves them several places up the table, and sends a message to the rest of the league.


There's a break from league business this weekend as we move to the first round proper of the Shield, and we have some interesting games to ponder for the Predictor, but we'll get to that a bit later.

West 2:
Lenzie ran away with West 2 last season, so we're hoping this season will be a bit more competitive.  Oban Lorne sit top of the table with four wins from four following their 48 points to 20 win away at Clydebank.  Strathaven are four points behind in second, having won away at Cumnock - Strathavens defeat came first game of the season to Clydebank (by a single point).

Dalziel are still unbeaten having won away at Waysiders Drumpellier at the weekend. Their only other game has been a victory over Cumnock, but that went down to a last minute penalty kick.

Oban are probably early favourites (which is backed up by the Super8 Predictor), but as usual they have a number of lengthy journeys to contend with, so keeping a consistent team on the pitch will be an additional challenge for them to overcome.

At the foot of the table we have Helensburgh, Wigtownshire and Uddingston all still looking for their first win.  Uddy were unable to field a team for their trip to Stranraer at the weekend, which is a bit of a worry this early in the season, so with a three point deduction they find themselves behind the others.


West 3:
West 3 is a bit different this season as it's split into two pools similar(ish) to the Pro 14 - play each Club in your own pool twice, and each Club in the other pool once.

We're guessing the SRU website doesn't like this idea as there are no tables shown, so we have made an attempt to put one together (disclaimer - we have no idea on bonus points so are only considering wins, losses and draws).

On that basis, Glasgow Uni Medics, Mull and Loch Lomond are each unbeaten with three wins from three.  Behind them with two wins each are Bishopton, Lochaber and Cumbernauld.  Cumbernauld however have played four compared to the others three.

Shawlands and Cowal have still to record a win, though Shawlands will be due a three point deduction for being unable to field a team against Lanark.


Upcoming Fixtures:
Next weekend we have Shield and Bowl (though Helensburgh host Cumnock in West 2 and Mull  host Moffat in West 3).

The Shield brings us some interesting fixtures.

Cambuslang host West 2 leader Oban, which until this weekend looked a comfortable away win.  But sticking 48 points past Irvine is no mean feat.  We'll go an away win, but this could go either way.

East Kilbride v Garnock is a candidates for match of the day - absolutely no idea how this is going to go, so we'll plump with home advantage.

Like the first game above, Irvine v Dalziel sees one of West 1s strugglers with a West 2 Club looking for promotion.  Should be close again, so will go with home advantage.

Another candidate for match of the day, sees a couple of young squads go toe to toe with Lenzie hosting Kilmarnock.  Another one where we will go with home advantage.

In Paisley v Strathendrick we have another West 2 v West 1 match-up.  Neither are scoring many, but by the same token, neither are they conceding that many.  We'll go with Endrick having a slight advantage.

Stewartry v Allan Glens pits the top two in West 1 against each other.  They've played three games each and conceded 49 points between them, whilst scoring 241 points - it could to be tight, but then again it might be a high scoring contest.  Close to call, but based on last seasons performances, we'll go with Glens.

Uddy v Wigtownshire is the reverse of what should have happened this weekend.  Alas, Uddy were unable to field a team.  Uddingston have struggled so far this season, so Shire must be favourites, but if they find some of last seasons form, then Uddy could take this one.

WD v Strathaven initially looks like an away win, but apart from their game v Oban, WD losses have been by only a couple of scores.  We'll go with Strathaven, but it might be tight.

There's four games to consider in the Bowl.

First up is Lomond v Hyndland - they've already met in the league and Lomond won this one 15 nil - so not a great deal in it. We'll go Loch Lomond again, but it could be another close one.

Lanark v Cumbernauld - Lanark have three losses from three, but two have been pretty narrow.  Cumbernauld have two wins and two losses, with one of these being by a score to Uni Medics.  This is a tight one, so will go with home advantage.

Cowal v Lochaber - Cowal are three losses from three, whilst Lochaber are two wins from three.  Looking like an away win.

Bishopton v Birkmyre - interesting one.  Both have won against Lanark and lost on Mull.  Neither are afraid of scoring points.  Could go either way, so will go with home advantage.

In our two league games we have Helensburgh v Cumnock and Mull v Moffat.

Helensburgh are still looking for their first win, whilst Cumnock have one win from three.  Both have big defeats against Strathaven, so looks like being a tight one.  Burgh took Paisley to the last minute on Saturday, so we're going for them this weekend.

And finally in West 3 we have Mull v Moffat.  Mull have got the season off to a flyer, so we're going with another home win.

West Region Results:

Mens
Women
Under 18s

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