Title contenders are ready for a top showdown

TABLE TENNIS

MOUNT A and NESLC Eagles finished the first half of the season as joint leaders of the Northumbria Winter League and are due to play each other later this week.

Both clubs include leading Northumberland players Graeme Barella, in the Mount squad, and Andrew Wilkinson with the Eagles.

Two of the teams struggling at the wrong end of the table also meet when Cramlington Stingers take on Mount C.

Prudhoe and District United Services, who do not play until next week, lead the way in Division One – but only by one point from Matfen Senators, who are at Tyneside TTC.

Newton, who are only five points adrift of the leaders, are at home to fourth-placed Saint Columbas B.

Division Two leaders Mitford start the second half of the season with a visit to lowly Cramlington Reivers and will be looking to consolidate their lead at the top.

Both of their nearest challengers, the two Ouston sides, also face Cramlington opposition.

The B team, who are one point ahead of their A side, entertain the Trojans while the A squad visits the Swifts.

Ouston’s C squad is in contention for promotion from Division Three, being in second place jointly with Cramlington Spartans behind Matfen Whitley Chapel – and they are away to Matfen Cohorts.

The leaders visit struggling Cramlington Cobras, who have Rob Lee back in their squad.

Saints could move closer to the top three as they are at home to the bottom team Cramlington Jaguars.

It is close in Division Four with top team Tyneside C only four points ahead of fourth-placed Prudhoe B.

Both are without a match this week and either second-placed Ouston D, who host Newton C, or third-placed Cramlington Dynamos who take on bottom team Magpies, will take over the top spot.