Who shot KR?

He must have done something pretty bad in a past life. Maybe he killed the neighbours' cat. Perhaps he tripped an old lady crossing the road. It might have been him who thought pedestrianising Dumfries town centre was a good idea.

Whatever it was, Kenny Ross is paying for it in this existence.

How else can we explain his misfortunes since the new GKL season began? Under the old system he would have been sitting pretty in second place. Under the new rules, he is slumping in 10th. Heck, he's even behind Kenny Eggo - and that's not a position any man likes to find himself in.

This week his tragedies were compounded when he contrived to lose to little Gianfranco Gorgonzola. Once again it was a narrow defeat but, nonetheless, it leaves him marooned in midtable.

Perhaps a ritual sacrifice to the footballing Gods may be the only cure to this curse. We suggest burning one of Eggo's Chelsea tops. Even if it doesn't work, it will make you feel better.

But KR's crisis is everyone else's gain. The Galacticos and Crusaders are locked in the epic conflict their names suggest at the top of the table but they should watch out for a devilish trio on their tails.

Doug Archibald and Iain Pollock have written more match reports than they've had hot dinners (well, looking at Doug's belly, maybe that's not strictly true). And Carlo Rinaldi is proving more than just a lookalike for his namesake Ancelotti.

Other big performances this week came from Team Ramrod and Oisin's Eleven. And a word, too, for Willie Johnston who completed a double over the Colthart clan to continue his revival. Rumour has it he has bought himself a fancy soft-top motor to celebrate.

In Serie B it is all about Steve Fitzpatrick for the time being. He has built a healthy advantage over his rivals. However, there are plenty of weeks for Kieran Westbrook, David Wynn, Dr Khrem and the rest to narrow that gap.

And they all have the consolation of knowing they're not cursed liked Kenny Ross.

Finally, in case of chants of "You Only Write When You're Winning!" I should point out that I was on holiday last week with my family and unable to update the blog. However, having suffered defeat to Ethan Colthart I hereby officially accept that I am, as he so often tells me, a loser...

Trio tussle at the top

Three teams are locked at the top of the GKL as we head into the international break. The outstanding Colin Moffat has amassed 531 points under the old scoring scheme but nonetheless has James Horncastle and Iain Pollock hot on his heels.

However, they would do well to cast a worried eye over their shoulders. Defending champions Team Ramrod are storming up the table and are just two points adrift. Everything suggests they will not give up their crown without a fight.

Wily veterans and hopeful youths make up a four-team group on 15 points. Old stagers Doug Archibald and Carlo Rinaldi currently have the edge over Lachlan Eggo and the league's luckiest manager Ethan Colthart (second bottom on the old scoring system!). Poor Angry Archibald will have been greetin' into his beard this week as his 74 point haul would have beaten everyone bar the high-flying Galacticos.

Kenny Ross has crowing rights in Dumfries and Galloway Council after overtaking Kenny Eggo but surely the Special Wan will not let this continue. They are joined in midtable by Calcio Italia stalwarts Giancarlo Rinaldi, Serafino Ingardia and Steve Wilson.

Stefano Rinaldi stayed stuck on nine points this week but is still ahead of Colin Colthart who took a thumping in the BBC Dumfries derby clash with Gianfranco Gorgonzola. Joe O'Brien and Kev Sharp sit with them on nine points.

It looks like Pat Cook's luck has finally turned as he now has a couple of wins under his belt. The champagne was flowing in the Glen this weekend, too, as Willie's Warriors broke their duck and scraped past Sicilia. Alex Robertson finds himself, where he likes to be, at the bottom.

The Serie B battle remains intense. Young hack David Wynn had a bad week to leave the door open to a resurgent Steve Fitzpatrick to take over top spot. Kieran Westbrook, Bob Maliskas, Midge Mowbray, just back from China Graeme Nicol and Stef Todd are also firmly in contention.

A word of praise for Rossella Marrai who, after a few poor performances, struck an impressive 69 points this gameweek to drag herself back up the table. The teams which trail her should not give up hope, however. There are plenty of weeks to produce the goods.