It’s a big day in the West District Hockey Calendar as the 2024-25 season fixtures have been released.
The season is set to begin on the 14th of September, following the usual course as it pauses for indoor by the end of the November. The final games of the season will be the 29th March or 5th April.
The opening fixtures in division one sees the holder’s Western 3rd XI travelling to division two champions Kelburne 3rd XI. The other promoted side, Western 4th XI take on Helensburgh at Hermitage Academy for their opening fixture. Rottenrow, Clydesdale 3rd XI and Hillhead 3rd XI all pushed Western all the way last season and will be looking to do similar again. Hillhead 3rd XI host Western 3rd on 23rd November in what should be an exciting game, whilst the always thrilling Rottenrow Clydesdale 3rd XI game takes place on 26th October. Helensburgh and Uddingston 3rd XI will both be hoping for improved seasons as relegation threatened both sides until the last weekend. The two of them meet on the 5th October.
Division two opens with a heavyweight clash between last seasons relegated sides Dumfries and GHK. Both games last season ended in draws but can one side get the upper hand this season as the two sides look to push for promotion straight back into division one. The other new division two side is Greenock 2nd XI, who were promoted from division three. They have a tough opening fixture away at Clydesdale 4th XI. Ayr finished third in division two last season and will be hoping they can one better this year and secure promotion back to the top division after a third year in the second division. One of last season’s most exciting games was a 4-4 draw between Glasgow University 3rd XI and Uddingston 4th XI. The two of them play again on the 2nd November.
In division three, seven teams play each other three times to compete for the two promotion spots. Hillhead 6th XI won the division last year but an influx of youth into the club meant they’ve requested to stay in division three. They open the season with a tough away game against Kelburne 4th XI. Helensburgh 2nd XI were relegated from division two last season and will be looking to bounce back with a strong opening win. They take on Strathclyde University 2nd XI, who themselves will be hoping for a much-improved season. The other side not competing on the opening day is the promoted division four side, Western 5th XI.
Like division three, division four see’s seven teams play one another three times. The division sees new entries from Dumfries 3rd XI and Hillhead 8th XI, which is an encouraging sign for the West District and the sport of Hockey in Scotland. Dumfries 3rd XI start their campaign with a home tie against Clydesdale 5th XI, whilst Hillhead 8th XI have a massive crunch match against Hillhead 7th XI. The other side in the division is Dumfries 2nd XI, who will be looking forward to the following weeks game where they take on their 3rd XI for the first time in the clubs history.
The full fixtures and league tables will be available online very soon.
