Elsecar all set to mount late title bid

The leaders are still Hallam but Elsecar drew level with them last Saturday and only the Sandygate club's garnering of more bonus points has them still edging in front.

In fact, with Hallam set to play third-placed Treeton, Elsecar know that one of their main rivals will be dropping points tomorrow.

Certainly upsets happen - and Shiregreen's defeat of Whitley Hall showed that - but Elsecar will be confident they can add to the woes of bottom club Norton Oakes and so take another step towards their 15th title, one of which was shared.

Hallam and Elsecar are both on 83 points with Treeton on 79.

Whitley Hall are on 75 and were the big losers last week because it was a result that virtually killed off their title hopes.

They have still to play Hallam (in the penultimate fixture) but the main beneficiaries that day may well be Elsecar.

By the time the final day of the league programme arrives on September 15 and Hallam are set to play Elsecar (it will be played at Aston Hall), the title destiny could even be sorted. Wins for both Elsecar and Hallam tomorrow would leave it as a two-horse race because of the fact they play each other on the final day.

At the bottom, Shiregreen's win over Whitley Hall was a massive boost in their bid to stay up.

It took them out of the bottom two and four points ahead of Rockingham who lost to Wath.

Tomorrow, Shiregreen have a tough one at home to Wickersley whilst Rocking-ham entertain Collegiate.

Premier Division: Doncaster Town v Wath, Hallam v Treeton, Norton Oakes v Elsecar, Rockingham v Collegiate, Shiregreen v Wickersley, Whitley Hall v Barnsley.

In Division One, Houghton Main can take another big step towards joining Darfield in the Premier next season.

They virtually killed off fourth-placed Phoenix's hopes last Saturday whilst third-placed Tickhill were losing and so falling 11 points behind them.

Houghton entertain Thorn-cliffe and know that another win will put them on the brink of the top flight.

Hallam and Elsecar are in action again on Sunday in the semi-finals of the Yorkshire Council championship play-offs.

Elsecar have the better chance of going through when they entertain Hull YPI at Armroyd Lane.

Hallam have a tough task at home to Wrenthorpe who have lured in a number of star players including former Yorkshire players Gary Fellows and David Paynter. Both start at 12.30pm.

In the Division One play-off semi-finals, Darfield entertain Hill Top from East Yorkshire CA (12.30).CAPTAIN Gary Nuttall has recovered from heel problems and will be fit to take his place in the Ben Bailey Homes South Yorkshire League side for Sunday's Nixon Cup Final against the Scarborough Beckett League at Staxton CC (1pm).

The team is: Gary Nuttall, Steve Nuttall (both Barnsley), Mick. Alexander (Rotherham Phoenix), Mark Court (Tickhill), Mark Wilkinson (Worsbrough Bridge), Mick Bowler (Elsecar), Ashley Fidler (Tickhill), Ryan Tingle, Scott Hibbert (both Mexbrough), David Mace (Rotherham Town), Paul Melia (Wickersley). Reserves: Stuart Ramshaw (Tickhill), Andrew Ivill (Barnsley).