Here is an update on the latest position at the top and bottom of each division of the leagues, and important fixtures coming up as we approach the final few weeks of the season.

Men's Premier

There's no change at the top as Tynemouth 1, Newcastle University 1A and Northern 1 all cruised to comfortable victories this week. However with one match remaining Tynemouth now have an almost unassailable lead of 34 points over University 1A and 37 points over Northern 1. By the time Tynemouth host Northern on 21st March at Billy Mill, they will know the outcome of the crunch match between Northern and University 1A on 20th March at McCracken Park, and therefore what they have to do to clinch the title.

At the bottom, relegated Chester-le-Street 1 will be joined by either Northern 2 or Newbiggin 1. In the final round of matches, Newbiggin have to register at least 7 points away to University 1B on 28th March to make Northern 2 require points when they travel to Northumberland 1 on 4th April.

Division 1

It was a bad week for table-toppers Sunderland 1 and a good week for their rivals Tynemouth 2 and Northumberland 2, who both closed the gap on Sunderland to 17 and 23 points respectively with two matches remaining to Sunderland's one. This followed Northumberland's 3-2 (16-6) victory over Sunderland backed up by a 4-1 (18-3) win over Washington, and Tynemouth's comfortable 5-0 (20-4) victory over Westoe 2. However the better news for Sunderland is that a final-match win over Tynemouth 3 on 19th March at Billy Mill should secure promotion, as Northumberland and Tynemouth have still to meet in their final match of the season at Jesmond on 3rd April in what is likely to be a winner-takes-all promotion (and possibly title) decider, with the losing team missing out.

With Concordia 1's withdrawal from the division, the one remaining relegation place is between Tynemouth 3 and Washington. Tynemouth 3 are 5 points ahead with three matches remaining to Washington's two, and both teams meet in their final match on 4th April at Billy Mill knowing what they need for safety.

Division 2

Congratulations to Northern 3 who are champions follwing their 5-0 (20-8) win over second-placed Primrose 1, a tough match with four strings going to 3-2 in Northern's favour. However Primrose, with one match remaining (at Northumberland 3 on 18th March) are now only 21 points ahead of Eldon Leisure 1, who crushed a depleted Northern 3 side 5-0 (20-1) this week, and have two relatively 'easy' matches left against strugglers Tynemouth 4 and Benwell Hill. Primrose know that anything less than maximum points at Jesmond could let Eldon steal the second promotion slot.

Meanwhile winless Tynemouth 4 are relegated, although they nearly beat Dunston 1, winning more games but eventually going down 2-3 (11-15). Boldon 1, with two matches left, remain 5 points above Benwell Hill who have three matches to go, so the match between the two teams on 20th March at Boldon will be pivotal.

Division 3

None of the top three teams were in action last week. Primrose 2, with one match left, remain at the top of the table by 13 points over Northern 4 who have two matches left, and by 15 points over Westoe 3 who have three matches left. Northern's final fixture at home to Westoe on 2nd April will settle the promotion and title issues.

Consett 1's 4-1 (18-4) victory over Northern Juniors 1 ensures their safety and relegates Hexham 2 along with Northumberland Ladies.

Division 4

In the race for the title, leaders Chester-le-Street 3 suffered a shock defeat at Concordia 2 during the week, Concordia winning 3-2 (17-10). Northumberland 4 have narrowed the gap on Chester-le-Street to just 13 points with a match in hand, following their 4-1 (19-3) win at Tynemouth Social. Both the top teams have home matches this week, Chester-le-Street's match (which concludes their fixtures) against third-placed Eldon Leisure 2 looking a little tougher than Northumberland's against Northern 5, then Northumberland will have a chance of securing the title if they can win at Eldon on 25th March.

Tynemouth Social and Ashington are both relegated.

Division 5

None of the top four teams was in action last week, so Sunderland 3 still need only 4 points from their final match to clinch promotion, and Primrose 3 are in a very strong position, 3 points behind second-placed Boldon 2 with a match in hand. Boldon must beat Sunderland in their final match at home on 18th March to stand any chance of finishing above Primrose, who have an easier run-in.

Concordia 3 are relegated but in an epic match last week, 2nd-bottom Consett 3 gave themselves a chance of overhauling Dunston 2 with a 3-2 (18-12) victory in which every string went to 5 sets. Consett are now 19 points behind Dunston, who play their final match at Tynemouth 5 on 23rd March, then Consett finish with two away matches at Concordia on 27th March and finally Tynemouth on 1st April, knowing how many points they need, whilst Dunston must bite their fingernails.

Division 6

Northern 6 extended their winning run to 9 matches with another narrow 3-2 (15-8) win over Eldon Leisure 3, and with one match remaining they lead the table by 29 points ahead of Chester-le-Street 4, who have two matches in hand. Northern need to secure only 8 points in their final match at home to Alnwick on 22nd March to confirm promotion. Boldon 3 must beat Chester-le-Street convincingly at home on 19th March and hope other results go in their favour to stand any chance of finishing in the top two.

Walker and Northern Juniors 2 are relegated.

Division 7

In a fitting climax to the season, Westoe 4 beat Sunderland 4 by 3-2 (18-10) to clinch the Division 7 title by the narrowest of margins - both teams finished level on points, but Westoe had the most match wins, so Sunderland finish as runners-up. There were no matches last week, so Boldon 4 and Hexham 3 are still battling for the third spot which may be important as 'you never know' - an extra team may be promoted.

In the battle to avoid the wooden spoon, Consett 4 remain 2 points above Dunston 3, who have a match in hand.

Ladies Premier

Tynemouth Ladies 1 moved to the top of the table with a 4-1 (17-7) home victory over Northern Ladies 1B. With one round of fixtures remaining, Tynemouth lead Northern Ladies 1A by 13 points, and need just 8 points away to Northern Ladies 1B (again) on 18th March to secure the title. Northern Ladies 1A will hope to capitalise on any slip-up by Tynemouth when they travel to Northumbria University Ladies for the concluding match of the season on the following night (19th March). At the start of a busy week for Northern Ladies 1B, they consolidated third place with a convincing 5-0 (20-1) win over Northumbria University Ladies.

Ladies Division 1

Congratulations to Primrose Ladies who secured the Division 1 title with a match to spare after a convincing 5-0 (20-3) victory over Northumberland Ladies. But well done also to Hexham Ladies who shattered Primrose's 100% record with a 3-2 (14-7) win at Primrose last week. Northern Ladies 3 remain in the second promotion place 18 points above Northumberland Ladies, but Northumberland have a match in hand. Northern need to beat Northumberland at home by any score on 17th March to secure promotion, but if Northumberland win, they can pick up sufficient points against Hexham away on 24th March to overtake Northern.

Ladies Division 2

Tynemouth Ladies 2 comfortably beat Concordia Ladies to maintain their 11-point lead over Eldon Leisure Ladies, and their final fixture at Eldon on 27th March will settle the title. Meanwhile Tynemouth Ladies 3 are still 11 points behind Concordia, and their final fixture at Tynemouth on 23rd March will decide the destination of the wooden spoon.