TYNEMOUTH RETAIN MEN'S TITLE, NORTHERN FAVOURITES FOR LADIES TITLE

Here is an update on the latest position at the top and bottom of each division in the Winter Leagues as at the end of February.

Men's Premier: Congratulations to reigning champions Tynemouth 1 who have retained their Premier title, beating Northern 1 by 3-2 (18-8) to extend their unbeaten run to 27 matches in league and cup competitions. With two matches remaining, Tynemouth now have an unassailable lead on second-placed Westoe 1, with Northern 1 and Newcastle University 1 currently occupying the other two Northumberland Cup places. In the relegation battle, Northumberland 2 remain adrift at the bottom despite recording their first win of the season against a depleted Tynemouth 2, who host second-bottom Northern 2 on Thu 5th March looking to secure their Premier status at Northern 2's expense.

Division 1: At the top, Westoe 2 closed the gap on Northern 3 to just 5 points following a 3-2 (14-9) win over Northern, and Newcastle University 2 are a further 17 points behind Westoe with a match in hand, having lost some ground following a 3-2 (17-11) defeat at the hands of Eldon Leisure 1. Northumberland 3 remain bottom with only two wins and Newbiggin 1 look likely to remain in the other relegation place, as Chester-le-Street 1 are 7 points clear with a match in hand.

Division 2: Sunderland 2 have secured promotion following a 5-0 (20-4) victory over Primrose 2. Benwell Hill have promotion in their grasp, having beaten Northern 4 by 3-2 (15-6) to move 2 points behind Northern with a match in hand. Westoe 3 are already relegated, whilst Washington Exiles’ 3-2 (17-10) win against Concordia 1 has moved them 14 points clear of Concordia in the fight to avoid the relegation playoff place.

Division 3: Northumberland 4 remain promotion certainties, although Boldon 1 beat them 4-1 (17-10) to consolidate their position as likely runners-up. Sunderland 3 are 15 points ahead of Tynemouth 4 who have a match in hand, but Sunderland remain favourites for third place and the promotion playoff as Tynemouth's remaining fixtures are against Boldon and Northumberland. Chester-le-Street 2 look almost certain to go down, and Newbiggin 2 look to be in the relegation playoff place with Consett 1 escaping.

Division 4: Congratulations to Primrose 3 who are promoted as champions and remain unbeaten in the league, with a massive lead over second-placed Dunston 1. Tynemouth 5's slip-up losing to Hexham 2 by 3-2 (17-9) has left them 27 points behind Dunston with a match in hand, but still occupying the third automatic promotion place. Hexham 2 are level on points with Tynemouth but have played one match more, and are well-placed for fourth place which leads to the promotion playoff with Northern 5 still in contention. Ashington remain bottom and winless, and Consett 2 need to pick up maximum points from their match against Ashington on Wed 4th March to close the gap on Boldon 2 to a single point in the battle to avoid the relegation playoff place.

Division 5: Scotezzi lead the table by 4 points over Chester-le-Street 3, who have a match in hand, and the teams meet on Mon 2nd March in a title decider. The third automatic promotion place, and fourth place for the promotion playoff, look to be between Boldon 3, Concordia 2 (7 points behind) and Sunderland 4 (a further 17 points behind with a match in hand), and Concordia host Boldon on Wed 11th March. Westoe 4 remain bottom, with Tynemouth Social firmly in the relegation playoff place after a run of defeats.

Division 6: At the top, Consett 3 have extended their lead over Eldon Leisure 3 to 29 points, although Eldon have a match in hand, and the two teams meet on Thu 5th March in a title decider. Boldon 4 beat Northumberland 5 by 4-1 (19-6) to move 13 points ahead of Northumberland in the battle for third and the promotion playoff place. After registering their first two wins of the season, Walker have conceded their last two fixtures against Consett 4 and Consett 3 to remain at the bottom.

Ladies Premier: Northern Ladies 1B have emerged as title favourites following three straight wins, moving to within 3 points of Newcastle University Ladies with a match in hand. The two teams play each other at Northern on Mon 9th March in what looks like a title decider. Third-placed Northumbria University Ladies could still have a say if they can recover from their 4-1 (19-3) defeat away to Northern 1B to turn the tables in the return home fixture on Tue 3rd March. The battle for 4th place could be settled on Thu 12th March when Tynemouth Ladies host Northumberland Ladies who are 8 points ahead of Tynemouth having played a match more.

Ladies Division 1:  Title favourites Northern Ladies 1A are 15 points behind Tynemouth Ladies 2 with a match in hand. The two teams meet at Northern on Wed 18th March to decide the title. Northern Ladies 3 are well-placed to secure third place to qualify for promotion to next season's Premier.