We're over three-quarters of the way through the season now and it’s all to play for across the divisions with most relegation, promotion and playoff spots still up for grabs! Let’s see how each division is looking:

Men's Premier:

Northern 1 have extended their lead at the top with a nine-match winning run, including six maximum returns from their last seven outings to move on to 236 points from 14 matches played. Northern's nearest rivals University 1B trail them by 25 points but have also put together an impressive nine-match winning sequence and do have a match in hand. The two teams meet at Northern on 27th February in a crucial game - it's 'must-win' for the University if they are to keep their title hopes alive, and they go in with real hope after running out 3-2 winners in the first half encounter. Otherwise a win for Northern should (barring slip-ups) secure their first title since 2022, having come within two points last season.

Then come the three Northumberland teams (1A, 1B and 1C) who are vying for the two remaining top-4 and Northumbria Cup places, followed by Tynemouth 1 and Westoe 1, who look to be safe from relegation.

At the other end of the table, Sunderland 1 are bottom on 67 points and in big trouble following a 20-point deduction for a second match concession of the season. Two go down automatically, with the third-bottom team involved in a playoff. WIth five matches remaining, Sunderland have quite a gap to make up on Boldon 1 who are on 96 points (having played one match more) and University 1A on 99 points, but these two teams meet on 27th February and Sunderland also play University 1A in their final match and have proved that they are quite capable of winning matches if they can field a strong team, so nothing is decided yet. 

Division 1:

Chester-le-Street 1 are on course for the title and a return to the Premier with 217 points from 12 matches, despite losing their unbeaten record to Northern 2, who have improved their playoff chances by moving on to 196 points from 13. Primrose 1 on 194 points from 12 are well-placed for the second automatic promotion place, although Eldon 1 are still very much in contention on 170 points from 11. These three chasing teams have still to play each other in March, so nothing is decided yet.

Down at the bottom, Primrose 2 remain winless on 72 points from 13. 2nd-bottom Sunderland 2 (84 points from 11) have three matches in hand over Westoe 2 (96 points from 14) in the race to avoid automatic relegation in favour of a playoff place.

Division 2:

Table-toppers Northern Juniors 1 remain unbeaten after 11 matches on 199 points, 16 ahead of main rivals University 3 who have a match in hand. Both teams look to have promotion wrapped up, leaving Northumberland 4 (189 from 13) and Hexham 1 (173 from 12) to battle it out for the promotion playoff place.

At the other end, Primrose 3 and Sunderland 3 both look to be heading for relegation on 66 and 80 points respectively, with Northern 3 likely to face the playoffs as they are only 5 points ahead of Eldon 2 who have two matches in hand, although these two teams still have to meet in the 2nd half.

Division 3:

Northumberland 5 (197 points from 13) lead the table from in-form Chester-le-Street 2 (190 points from 13) who have closed the gap after a run of six straight wins. Consett 1 (181 points from 12) remain in contention for an automatic promotion place and play Northumberland 5 next in a crucial match. Hexham 2 (132 from 10) have all the top three still to play, and hqve an outside chance of a playoff spot if they can put a run together.

With a run of 6 straight wins, Tynemouth 3 haved moved from the foot of the table to halfway, leaving Eldon 3 (89 points from 11), Boldon 3 (102 from 12) and Northern 4 (112 from 12) to battle it out for the automatic relegation and playoff spots.

Division 4:

Benwell Hill (216 points from 12) and University 4 (197 points from 12 have all but wrapped up promotion, with Chester-le-Street 3 178 points from 13) and Sunderland 4 (156 points from 12) left to scrap for the promotion playoff place.

Tynemouth Social remain adrift at the foot of the table on 61 points despite their first win of the season against a depleted Boldon 4, who with 121 points from 12 are just four points behind Consett 2 (who have played a match more), and it looks to be between these two teams for the other automatic relegation place or a playoff spot. 

Division 5:

Northern Juniors 2 are running away with the title on 205 points from 12, 36 points clear of their nearest rivals Primrose 4 (169 from 12), who are in a promotion battle with Hexham 3 (162 from 12) and Tynemouth 4 (152 from 11).

At the bottom, winless Tynemouth 5 are still finding their feet in their first season with 40 points from 13 matches, with the teams above them well clear, Newbiggin 2 (114 from 12) despite being on a bit of a losing run, and the other new team Northumberland 7 (121 from 13) picking up the occasional win.

Ladies Division 1:

No-one can stop the University Ladies 1 juggernaut as they have racked up 13 straight wins and 245 points so far. Northern Ladies 1 are briefly in 2nd on 171 points from 13, but Northumberland Ladies 1 in 3rd are the University's nearest challengers on 169 points from 11, their only two defeats having been to the University. Northumberland Ladies 2 beat Tynemouth Ladies to close the gap in the battle for 4th (the final Northumbria Cup place), with 5th place affording a place in the League Cup semi-finals.

Ladies Division 2:

At halfway, Northern Ladies 2 lead the way with three straight wins, followed by Primrose Ladies, Northern Ladies 3 and University Ladies 2.

End-of-season playoffs:

In the Men's League, end-of-season playoffs will once again be held between the teams finishing immediately outside the two automatic promotion and relegation places in each division. This extends interest during the season run-in, as a number of teams will remain in contention for a playoff place right up to their final fixture.

The playoffs will again take place at Northern, all 7pm starts as follows:

Mon 7th April: Divisions 4/5 and 3/4

Tue 8th April: Divisions 2/3 and 1/2

Wed 9th April: Premier / Division 1

Details of the teams involved in each playoff will be provided once they become known.