The Winter Leagues are now taking shape, with most teams having played over half of their first half fixtures. Here is a quick update on the latest position in each division.

Men's Premier:

At this early stage, the title race is wide open, with the top five teams all having identical win/lose records (4 wins from 6 matches). However it's points that count, and Tynemouth 1 narrowly lead the pack on 92 points followed by University 1B (89), Northern 1 (87) and Northumberland 1C (85), with Northumberland 1B a bit further back on 76. Also Northumberland 1A on 62 points have a match in hand so should close the gap on the leaders.

Meanwhile University 1A prop up the table but have two matches in hand over struggling Sunderland 1, who gave Westoe 1 a 20-0 walkover which has allowed Westoe to pull clear of the relegation places (for now).

Division 1:

Primrose 1 and Tynemouth 2 are neck-and-neck at the top with 5 wins and 95 points each from 6 matches, but will be looking over their shoulders at Chester-le-Street 1 and Northern 2, who are both unbeaten after just 4 matches, on 74 and 62 points respectively.

Down at the bottom, winless Sunderland 2 and Primrose 2 look to be in the most trouble, with Westoe not safe and the jury out on Newbiggin 1, who have only played (and lost) twice so far.

Division 2:

Northern Juniors 1 lead the table with 88 points and 5 straight wins, although Hexham 1 are only a point behind despite having only 4 wins out of 5. University 3 on 66 points have a match in hand on the leaders, their only defeat so far being to Juniors.

At the other end Northern 3 and Eldon 2 have the most work to do, although Primrose 3 and Sunderland 3 are also in the relegation mix.

Division 3:

Although Northumberland 5 are leading on 102 points with 5 wins out of 7, behind them Hexham 2 and Consett 1 are both looking strong on 81 points each after only 5 matches.

Eldon 3 are at the foot of the table but have two matches in hand on their main relegation rivals Tynemouth 3 and Boldon 3, who are only 2 and 4 points respectively ahead of Eldon.

Division 4:

After 5 matches, Benwell Hill have opened a 10-point gap at the top over University 4, with Chester-le-Street 3 and Sunderland 4  a little further behind.

Tynemouth Social are winless at the bottom, 20 points adfrift of Consett 2, with Concordia 2 climbing out of the relegation zone.

Division 5:

Northern Juniors 2 lead the way with 87 pointds from 5 matches, 10 points clear of Hexham 3 with Newbiggin 2 a further 10 points behind in 3rd. after six matches, followed closely by Northern 6 and Benwell Hill 2 each with a match in hand, with University 4 (played 4) and unbeaten Concordia 2 (played only 3) very much in contention for the two automatic promotion places.

At the bottom, Tynemouth 5 are still finding their feet with no wins so far, but Tynemouth 4 (one place higher) have picked up points recently.

Ladies Division 1:

University Ladies 1 are favourites to retain the title with 6 straight wins and 113 points, representing a 31-point lead over Tynemouth Ladies. Northern Ladies 1 are a further 3 points behind, followed by Northumberland Ladies 1 and 2.

Northern Ladies 2 and 3 are both struggling, and they plus University Ladies 2 and Primrose Ladies look likely to be the four teams to drop into DIvision 2 for the second half.