Golf; Washnington face up to epic final two weeks in promotion challenge

Newcomers City of Newcastle look to have the Third Division title tied up, sitting 12 points clear of Washington with two games left.

Washington, though, have a fight to fend off third-top Whickham, a point behind, for the second promotion slot, with fourth-placed Whitburn and Beamish Park still in the race.

Washington are at home to Whitburn this Tuesday before a last-night visit to Whickham – Tuesday, July 31 – in what could be an epic finale.

Seven points separate the top three places in the First Division title race.

The championship looks likely to be decided on the final nightwhen leaders Brancepeth Castle visit Ramside Hall A.

Brancepeth top the table with 100 points from 12 games, four ahead of Ramside and seven in front of Boldon.

Boldon have a crucial home clash with Ramside this coming Tuesday, while Brancepeth entertain relegation-threatened Heworth. Boldon’s final game is at Consett, who prop up the table.

In Division Two, the top four clubs are separated by just seven points in a tight battle. Ravensworth are a point ahead of second-placed South Shields, with South Moor four points back and Crook a further two adrift.

Ravensworth head to Crook on Tuesday before hosting Houghton in their final match. Shields visit Houghton, who are fighting to stay in the division, before entertaining South Moor in a potentially pivotal promotion battle.