The Winter Leagues are now reaching the final stages, with teams in the run-in towards league titles, promotion, relegation or the playoffs! Here is an update on the latest position at the top and bottom of each division.

Premier Division - Northumberland 1 have extended their lead at the top with five 5-0 wins at the start of the second half followed by a narrow win over Newcastle Uni 1A who now trail them by 49 points. Northumberland's nearest challengers Westoe 1 are 53 points behind with two matches in hand, and the two teams meet at Westoe on 16th March in a title decider. Northern 1 in fourth hold a 23-point lead over Newcastle Uni 1B for the final Northumbria Cup place. Whilst Benwell Hill are adrift at the foot of the table, Primrose 1's recent resurgence with wins over Sunderland 1 and Benwell had put them ahead of Northumberland 2 until Northumberland 2's win over Tynemouth 1 has given them hope of escaping the other automatice relegation place with an easier-looking run-in than Primrose.

Division 1 - Tynemouth 2 have opened up a substantial lead on their main rivals with three 5-0 wins in succession and are looking good for automatic promotion with just two matches remaining. Chester-le-Street 1 are in the best position to grab the other automatic promotion place, although Eldon 1 and Northern 2 are still in the mix and Eldon's matches against Northern on 8th March and CLS on 27th March will be crucial to the outcome. Hexham 1 are certainties for relegation but Newbiggin's recent run of form with four 3-2 wins since halfway has put relegation pressure on both Westoe 2 and Primrose 2, who meet on 8th March, with Sunderland 2 not yet completely safe.

Division 2 - Congratulations to Northumberland 3 and Boldon 1 who have already achieved automatic promotion with two matches to play! Northumberland remain unbeaten 23 points ahead of Boldon, so will almost certainly finish champions. Northern 3 look the most likely to clinch the promotion playoff spot ahead of Tynemouth 3. At the other end, Consett 1 are relegation certainties with Sunderland 3, Concordia 1 and Eldon 2 all trying to escape automatic relegation and the playoffs.

Division 3 - Boldon 2 are promoted and likely champions ahead of Northern 4 in second, with Northumberland 4 and Hexham 2 meeting on 15th March to decide who will be involved in the promotion playoff. Tynemouth 4 are already relegated, with Chester-le-Street 2 and Boldon 3 meeting on 14th March to decide the other automatic relegation and playoff places.

Division 4 - Congratulations to both Newcastle University 3 and Northern Juniors 1 who are both already promoted for the second successive year, with the University's recent 3-2 win over Juniors maintaining their unbeaten record and putting them 13 points ahead at the top and likely champions. It's between Northern 5 and Consett 2 for the promotion playoff place, with Northern currently only a point behind Consett with a match in hand but a much harder run-in.  Meanwhile at the bottom, Tynemouth 5 are relegated with Chester-le-Street 3 and Northumberland 5 meeting in their final match on 5th April to determine the other automatic relegation and playoff places.

Division 5 - Hexham 3 and Boldon 4 occupy the top two places with Hexhamm 10 points ahead, but both still have to play thrid-placed Tynemouth Social, on 6th and 17th March respectively, so neither are yet promotion certainties. Socials have two matches in hand and could close the 34-point gap on Boldon (and 44-point gap on Hexham) if results go their way, otherwise they will have to settle for the promotion playoff place. At the other end, Consett Development recorded their first win of the season over 2nd-bottom Ashington but look unlikely to overtake them in the remaining matches.

Ladies’ Division 1 - Newcastle Uni Ladies 1 have all but wrapped up the title after back-to-back wins over second-placed Tynemouth Ladies 1, with Northern Ladies 1 in third place closing in on Tynemouth. Northumberland Ladies 1 look likely to take the final Ladies’ Northumbria Cup spot, with Northern Ladies 2 dropping into the Ladies' League Cup.

Ladies’ Division 2 - Tynemouth Ladies 2 lead the table at halfway from Northern Ladies 3 whilst Primrose Ladies have made a good start to the second half with a 5-0 win over bottom team Newcastle Uni Ladies 2. Northern host Tynemouth on 12th March in what looks like a title decider.