After an explosive first weekend of hockey, we’re back again this weekend with more exciting hockey matches on display!
All ten division one sides are in action this weekend, with Giffnock and Clydesdale 3rd XI featuring for the first time. Giffnock have the tough task of opening their league season with an away trip to Auchenhowie, as they take on current John S. Dick trophy holders Western 3rd XI. Giffnock were the only side to defeat Western last season and will be hoping for a repeat of that as they get started. Clydesdale 3rd XI welcome Hillhead 4th XI to Titwood. Hillhead had a narrow defeat last week and will be hoping to bounce back with a win against so far untested Clydesdale. The big winners from last week, Hillhead 3rd XI, are away to Rottenrow, whilst Kelburne 3rd XI host Helensburgh. The other match has Uddingston 3rd XI hosting newly promoted Western 4th XI.
In division two, Glasgow University 3rd XI have yet to take to the field but Hillhead 5B play their first game of the campaign, as they travel to Clydesdale 4th XI. Clydesdale had a tough opening fixture against Greenock 2nd XI last week and will hoping to take all three points on Saturday as they host Hillhead. GHK will be looking to bounce straight back to division one after relegation last season and will be keen on all three points as they take on Hillhead 5A. The other sides in action include Rottenrow 2nd XI hosting Greenock 2nd XI and Ayr welcoming Uddingston 4th XI down the coast.
Division three has a full fixture card with newly promoted Western 5th XI playing their first competitive match of the season. They host Uddingston 5th XI at Auchenhowie and will be hoping for a strong start to the season. Anchor travel to Glasgow to take on Hillhead 6th XI in a game which proved fiery last season. Anchor won two of the three games the side competed in last season but Hillhead finished top of the league so this game could be a close affair. The other match see’s Kelburne 4th XI host Strathclyde University 2nd XI at the National Hockey Centre. Kelburne were the only side to pick up three points last week and will be hoping to do the same this week against the students, who only managed a draw last weekend.
It’s derby day in Dumfries, in division four. The first ever competitive match between Dumfries 2nd XI and Dumfries 3rd XI takes place at the King George V playing fields. The 2nd XI are the ‘home’ side on this occasion and will have all the pressure on them being the higher team. It’s their first game of the season so they will be hoping for a positive start. The 3rd XI will be keen to show they are no pushovers, however, after a difficult first game last weekend. Elsewhere, Helensburgh 3rd XI travel to Balgray to play Hillhead 8th XI, with the two sides having won last week, this could be a close match. Hillhead 7th XI host Clydesdale 5th XI in the other match, with the sides each winning a game last season and third being a draw, it’s too close to call what way that game will go.
