Welcome to a long, long overdue update on the state of play in the 2018/19 Harrogate League. With just THREE weeks left, we're down to crunch time.

Division One
Chapel Allerton 1 are in the driving seat in the top flight having lost only twice all season. On Monday they won the Chapel A derby against the second-placed 2nds with Declan Christie and Adam Wellstead (who have lost only one HL match between them this season) both victorious in straight games.

Chapel A 1's lead is 32 points although Chapel A 2 have a game in hand on 117 points. Harlow 1 are in third just four points back although they have played a game more.

Both Collingham sides are next, in fourth and fifth, and they too had a derby mach this week, with the 1sts 10-5 winners thanks to Ben Hodgetts and Stephen Kettlewell.

The battle to avoid the dreaded drop looks set for a tight conclusion. Shockingly, last year's champions Harrogate 1 now find themselves at the arse end of the table, but will be buoyed by having a game in hand and are certainly not marooned at just three and eight points respectively shy of Adel and Dunnington above them.

Division Two
No such issues for stablemates Harrogate 2, however, as they lead Division Two by a handsome 24 points. This week's 11-3 win over Otley 2 makes it four in a row and only two defeats out of 16 overall.

The battle for second is anyone's with Dunnington 2, Chapel Allertons 4, 5 and 6 and Aireborough 1 all in with a shout.

There wil be tension over the final three weeks of the season at the bottom too, as Otley 2, Skipton and Aireborough 2 do battle to avoid the ignominy of finishing bottom of the pile.

Division Three
Collingham 3 top the pile but their nine-point lead looks a little fragile as they have played a game more than Harrogate 3, who are breathing down their necks like Zola Budd on Mary Decker (kids, ask your dad).

Adel 4 are only two points further back, but for bottom side Skipton 3, the wait for a victory goes on and on. They have lost all 16 of their fixtures, and in fact have only won three individual matches all term. Yikes.

Division Four
The champagne is on ice in Guiseley as Aireborough 3 are 28 points clear and looking very good for promotion to the giddy heights and glamour of Division Three.

Chapel Allerton 9 are second and 27 clear of third, so barring any administrative tinkering also appear nailed on for promotion, unless those Chevin or Moor folks in third and fourth can pull a rabbit out of the hat.

At the bottom Harlow 3 and David Lloyd 1 are battling it out to avoid the wooden spoon, with winless Harlow currently the cellar dwellers.