CALDY were the only local side in league action at the weekend and were involved in yet another desperately close National Two affair.

Sadly, the Paton Field outfit came out on the wrong side of a 15-14 scoreline at Leicester Lions but as least had the satisfaction of a bonus point in a game which no side deserved to lose.

Caldy find themselves fifth-placed in the table, a point behind Otley and a point ahead of Harrogate and the Lions.

But it could have been so different with a promotion challenge on course had fortune favoured them just a little in the last few weeks.

The season is now three months old and there have been mixed fortunes for the local clubs.

Wirral, in National Three North, sit fifth in the table from seven wins and four defeats and certainly have a chance of reaching a play-off place.

Birkenhead Park lie ninth after four wins and seven reverses.

New Brighton who had high hopes at the start of the South Lancashire / Cheshire One campaign currently find themselves 14 points from a top two placing after six wins from eleven outings.

Anselmians are three points behind the Blues in eighth.

Hoylake, who won for the first time recently, are bottom but are by no means doomed to relegation at this stage.

Merseyside West is dominated by Ruskin Park and Southport who already look promotion certainties.

Oldershaw are third, but 13 points behind the top two with Ellesmere Port fourth.

Then come Wallasey (sixth), Port Sunlight (seventh), Oxton Parkonians (ninth) and Prenton with just one success to date next to bottom.

Caldy have home advantage against Huddersfield this Saturday.

Wirral entertain Stockport whilst Birkenhead Park take the road to Cleckheaton.

Other fixtures as weather permitting full league action resumes includes Hoylake at LSH, New Brighton v Sefton, Anselmians at Northwich, Ellesmere Port v Prenton, Port Sunlight at Liverpool University, Oxton Parkonians at Mossley Hill, Oldershaw at Newton le Willows and Wallasey v St Edwards.