With South North likely to seal their tenth championship in 13 years when they play at Stockton today, the main focus of attention is on the other end of the table where the two teams battling to avoid the drop meet head on at Eastwood Gardens.

And waiting in the wings to replace the relegated side are any one of three teams who still have a realistic chance of winning the First Division crown, as the promotion race reaches a critical stage today when leaders Eppleton meet second-placed Burnmoor.

The unbeaten Bulls need just 15 more points from their two remaining games to retain their title, and they will have a full strength side at Grangefield where their hosts are unlikely to have either Jamie Harrison or Keaton Jennings in the side, and there are also doubts over Jimmy Ward and Tom Coulthard.

Chester-le-Street are the only side with a mathematical chance of catching the leaders and they have a full squad with which to go for broke against the Academy.

At the other end, Gateshead Fell are on the verge of repeating last year’s remarkable escape act. They moved off the foot of the table for the first time this summer with their win at Hetton Lyons, and they could now take another huge stride towards safety with a home win over the team that replaced them in that unwanted position, Blaydon.

An horrendous 15-game run in which just one win has been achieved has been Blaydon’s downfall. Contrast that with the Fell, who have won five of their last ten matches, and it is easy to see where the momentum lies. Barry McCarthy returns to the Gatehead team in place of Graham Onions, while Blaydon have Gary Stewart back to strengthen their bowling.

Just eight points separate the top three in the First Division, but something has to give at Church Road today when leaders Eppleton host Burnmoor. Waiting in the wings for the points that must be dropped by one or both are third-placed Washington who entertain Boldon.