It’s a very happy new year from the West District to all our fans, players and clubs. Over the festive period, the West District elves were busy drawing the next round of George Black Trophy, as well as the first round of the plate competition.
However, first, let’s look at the results from the first round of the GB Trophy. Three games are still to be played but five have been completed. The biggest upset game at the Stepps Playing Fields, with Strathclyde University 2nd XI, of division three, defeating Dumfries, of division two, 4-3 in a tightly contested affair. Hillhead B kept their game close against highflyers Rottenrow, but the ‘row came out top with a 3-2 victory. It was another close match in the all division one clash between Helensburgh and Clydesdale A. However, Clydesdale got the all-important winner late in the second half. Hillhead A and Western 3 couldn’t be separated in regulation time, so it came down to penalty flicks, with Western winning 4-2. The other match saw GHK comfortable get past Ayr 6-3.
The quarter finals of the George Black Trophy have thrown up some interesting ties. Division three side Strathclyde University 2nd XI could cause a massive upset if they overcome division one side Rottenrow – and with Rottenrow having a few Uni’ alumni, it should be a tasty game. The other matches are all waiting on first round results, but a potential all Western clash could happen, with the 4th XI needing to defeat Uddingston 4th XI to come up against Western 3rd XI. There will be an all division one clash for Clydesdale A, as they will face either Kelburne 3rd XI or Uddingston 3rd XI. The other tie has division three league leaders Kelburne 4th XI needing to overcome Giffnock, to set up a tie with division two side GHK.
The first round of the West District Plate see’s all the defeated sides from the GB Trophy drop down and play in the plate. With the odd numbers, Greenock 2nd XI, Hillhead A and Dumfries have all managed a bye to the second round. Theres an all Hillhead clash as the B side take on the C side. Helensburgh will have to travel to Glasgow to face the division two student side Glasgow University 3rd XI. The other games are all awaiting first round results to see who is playing who.
