At the half-way stage of the season Royal Oak, promoted from Division Two last season, head the Division One table by five points from last season's champions, Northallerton Police who have games in hand of the leaders.

Police, beaten only once in seven matches, have the best defensive record in the league, conceding only nine goals.

Great Ayton Hibs, currently unbeaten in their last four league outings, are third, and North Yorks Unison after three successive victories are fourth.

At the lower end of the table Thirsk Albion, Robert Thompsons, Three Coopers Bedale and Osmotherley Rangers have each only won two games, but have fared better than bottom club Masham who have failed to gain a single point in the first half of the season, losing all their seven matches.

In Division Two Topcliffe, relegated last season, are making a quick bid to return to the top division after six successive victories, and head the table by two points from Brompton on Swale who are also bidding for promotion for the second successive season after losing only one of their opening eight games.

Northallerton Elders, who are third, and Stokesley ,who have lost only one of their last eight league outings, also look promotion contenders, together with Blue Star unbeaten in four matches.

At the opposite end of the table Skipton BS, Appleton Wiske, and Robert Thompsons Reserves have struggled and will need to improve in the second half of the season to avoid a relegation fight in March.

Cowtons lead the Division Three table by two points after an opening run of eight successive victories before they were held to a draw at Marne Dragons.

Streetlam Farmers, unbeaten in seven games, are second, and Northallerton WMC who have won their last four matches are third. Together with Marne Dragons,, still unbeaten after eight outings, these sides appear to be the main promotion contenders.

At the bottom Knayton, Buck Inn Northallerton and Elders SC have disappointed so far and will be looking to improve their results in the second half of the season.

Leading scorers

Division One: A Bramley (Police) 14, M Raw (Unison) 10, C Johnson (Royal Oak) 9, T Hololob (Royal Oak) 8, I Redpath (Royal Oak) 8, P Tate (Rountons) 7.

Division Two: P Goodall (Blue Star) 16, D Binks (Topcliffe) 12, M Proud (N/A Elders) 11, A Reaks (Skipton BS) 11, R Hore (Kildale) 9, J Joyce (Topcliffe) 9.

Division Three: M Craggs (Streetlam) 12, M Keller (Dragons) 10, C Chandler (Romanby Park) 9, D Preston (Cowtons) 9, T Haw (Knayton) 8