The Winter Leagues are now reaching the mid-point of the second half, with teams about to enter the final phase of the season. Here is an update on the latest position at the top and bottom of each division.

Men's Premier: Northern 1's 3-2 (15-6) victory over Tynemouth 1 last week gives Northern a comfortable 6-point lead and match in hand over reigning champions Tynemouth at the top of the table with four matches remaining. Northern had earlier racked up three successive 5-0 wins whereas Tynemouth had suffered a surprise 3-2 defeat by Newcastle University 1B. The race for 3rd and 4th places to fill the remaining Northumberland Cup positions looks to be between Newcastle University 1A and 1B and Northumberland 1. Northern 2 and Tynemouth 2 look certainties for relegation, with Sunderland 1's narrow 3-2 victory over Tynemouth 2 denying their opponents their first win of the season and keeping Sunderland comfortably above the other two.

Division 1: Northumberland 2's 3-2 victory over 2nd-placed Primrose 1 keeps them unbeaten and well clear at the top. Primrose have strengthend their squad but Benwell Hill are 20 points behind with a match in hand and Chester-le-Street 1, 39 points behind Benwell with 2 matches in hand, are eyeing 3rd place. At the other end, Tynemouth 3 are certainties for the drop and Northern 3 look unlikely to escape.

Division 2: Hexham 1 remain in pole position 3 points ahead of 2nd-placed Primrose 2 and with a match in hand. Hexham travel to Primrose on 22nd February in a probable title-decider. Northumberland 4 have moved into 3rd place ahead of Northumberland 3, having pulled off a surprising 4-1 win over their higher-ranked clubmates, and Boldon 1 and Concordia 1 remain in contention. Winless Tynemouth 4 are already relegated, and Northern 4 look set to join them unless they can catch Primrose 3, who travel to Northern on 22nd February.

Division 3: Eldon 2 lead by 3 points over David Lloyd Sunderland (who have played a match more) and by 5 points over Consett 1. Sunderland 3 who won their first 9 matches to lead the division at halfway have lost 3 matches in succession to drop to 4th, 18 points behind the leaders. Tynemouth 5 are certainties for relegation but 2nd-bottom Westoe 3 have given themselves a slight chance of avoiding the drop with a 3-2 win over 3rd-bottom Newbiggin 2.

Division 4: Boldon 2 have established a clear lead at the top, 17 points ahead of Sunderland 4 with a match in hand. Sunderland have moved into contention following 4-1 wins over both Boldon 2 and Boldon 3, who have slipped to 3rd, 24 points behind Sunderland although still with 2 matches in hand, so will remain optimistic about their promotion chances. Consett 2 are also still in contention, 15 points behind Boldon 3 with a match in hand on them. At the bottom, it's between Ashington, Chester-le-Street 3 and Eldon 3.

Division 5: Northern Juniors remain unbeaten and have extended their lead to 21 points over Newcastle University 3, with Tynemouth Social a further 7 points behind having played one match more. Consett 3 remain bottom, level on points with Hexham 3 who have suffered a 20-point deduction for conceding a second match this season.

Ladies Division 1: Following Northern Ladies 1's shock 3-2 defeat by Tynemouth Ladies 1, Newcastle University Ladies had moved clear at the top with a 4-1 (17-5) victory over 2nd-placed Northumberland Ladies followed by a 5-0 (20-0) thrashing of Tynemouth Ladies 1. However Northern then pulled off a 3-2 (14-8) win over Newcastle University to throw the title race wide open again. Newcastle University Ladies now lead by 16 points over Northumberland Ladies and by 18 points over Northern Ladies, but have played a match more than their rivals. Tynemouth Ladies 1 have consolidated 4th place ahead of Northumbria University Ladies.

Ladies Division 2: At just over halfway, Primrose Ladies are 8 points ahead of  Northern Ladies 2 who have a match in hand, followed by Tynemouth Ladies 2 who have played a match more than Northern Ladies 3.