PENSHAW ON THE WAY
CATHOLIC CLUB ON COURSE TO BETTER LAST SEASON’S FOURTH-PLACE PREMIER FINISH
Sunderland & District Mill View SC Over-40s League Penshaw Catholic Club are enjoying a fantastic season in the Premier Division and are on course to better last year’s fourth-placed finish.
Seventh in 2015-16 and fourth last year, Penshaw have maintained their impressive progress to sit in third place, just three points behind second-top Hartlepool Workies.
Penshaw have picked up 13 wins in their 19 matches, though a title challenge looks beyond them in the final seven matches.
Ryhope Foresters, third last season, are fifth, a point above Washington Victoria Inn.
Leaders Marden are six points above Workies, who have two games in hand, so the race for the championship should go to the wire.
At the bottom, Hylton CW are facing a fight for survival, just two points above the bottom two, Wallsend Community and Hartlepool Raby Arms, though they have games in hand on both of their rivals.
Wearmouth CW (17 points) and Redhouse WMC (18) look to be safe from the threat of the drop.
Seaham Marlborough and Grindon Broadway, third and fourth at the moment, are well in the hunt for promotion in Division One.
Marlborough have won 11 of their 18 games to sit on 35 points, two behind Teessiders Dormans, while Grindon three points further behind. All three have eight matches to play.
Leaders Whitley Bay Seahorse look good for promotion, six points clear with a game in hand.
Luckless Cobblers Hall remain without a point at the bottom, while Thornley Celtic, in second-bottom spot, are seven points adrift of Pelton Crown, who have a game in hand.
Mill View are in danger of the drop in the Second Division, sitting in second-bottom spot on 16 points, but they still have 10 matches left to fulfil their 30-game programme.
The sides above them all have games in hand, including Plains Farm Alldec (20 points), while bottom club Peterlee Helford United have picked up just two wins, and 10 points, to prop up the table, though they have 12 games still to play.
The title looks to be all but tied up by St Mary’s College Old Boys, who are 13 points clear of Darsley Park in pole position, albeit having played two games more.
Dubmire Club have won seven and lost seven to sit seventh in the table, with 11 matches left.
Pelton Roseberry Grange top the Third Division by seven points from Washington JFC Biddick Inn, and also have a game in hand.
Five wins in their final eight matches will guarantee the title. Biddick have a great chance of promotion, as do third-top Ivy Legends, with both sides having recorded 11 victories so far.
There is an intriguing battle at the bottom of the table, though Hartlepool Vets are close to confirming relegation, sitting 15 points adrift.
Only six points separate the next seven teams, including Sunderland sides Rolls-Royce and Willow Pond, plus The Philadelphia and Houghton Cricket Club, setting up a tense scrap for survival over the closing few weeks of the campaign.
Wearmouth CW Old Boys are the top Sunderland side in the Fourth Division, with an impressive recent run taking them up to fifth place.
They have now won 11 of their 16 games, with the second-best goal difference (+27) in the division, and have a chance of promotion if they can maintain their form through a hectic run-in, with 10 matches still to play.
Pennywell Vets sit eighth on 20 points, two ahead of Boldon Colliery Tavern and four in front of neighbours Pennywell Comrades, while The Doxy Lad are in secondbottom spot with just 11 points from 18 matches.
Hartlepool Jacksons Arms are six points clear at the top, but Forest Hall have two games in hand and could go toe to toe with the long-time leaders for the title.
Hedworthfield Red Hackle could also have a say in the title race, but their focus could be on fending off Shildon and Wearmouth for the third promotion place.
13 Penshaw CC have had 13 wins in 19 games this term