AT the halfway stage of the Clacton and District League season, Nomads Panthers are hot favourites to take their sixth consecutive division one title.

James Denyer and Sam Hume have been in scintillating form, which has seen the Panthers open up a ten-point lead at the top.

Walton A, headed by Gary Young and well-supported by Gavin Price, Kevin James and Paul Woolnough, currently lie second.

The battle for the runners-up spot could well be between them and last year's second-placed team, Windsor Condors, for whom Greg Green has been a reassuring presence.

Brotherhood C's new-look side have enjoyed an excellent first half and they could yet challenge for a top-two spot while Brotherhood B, with Gracie Edwards ever-improving, continue to impress.

Gary Cattermole has been in good nick for Windsor Eagles, as has Paul Hume for Nomads Lions, which has seen both teams end the first half-season in the middle of the table alongside Walton B.

Andy Vincent, for Windsor Hawks, and Peter Burrows, for Walton C, are the mainstays of their respective teams and recent good results have seen both teams move away from the relegation zone.

Windsor Kestrels and Brotherhood D remain the two teams in the relegation places, currently separated by just two points.

At the top of division two, Lawford, for whom Paul Hewitt and Richard Spence have been dominant, and John Marshall's Nomads Tigers have edged away from their rivals to set up an intriguing two-way fight to the finish.

All of which leaves three Brotherhood sides - Barry Allen's Brotherhood F, Tricia Salter's Brotherhood H and Graham Parkes' Brotherhood I - battling it out for the minor places.

Windsor Harriers and Windsor Buzzards have assumed their traditional mid-table positions where they've been joined by Nomads Jaguars and Walton E, for whom Jared Chelski and Daniel Young have been outstanding.

With Windsor Magpies boosted by the signing of Olly Rampton, Brotherhood E, despite the efforts of Duncan Dunne, and Walton D, who've missed the calm presence of Rivhu Khan, are the two relegation-threatened teams.

In division three, Brotherhood G's strong squad, which includes Mark Beckham, Paul Metcalf and a fit-again Graham Healey, currently lead the table by just two points from Windsor Penguins, led by the in-form Debra Found and Alan Charman.

Admirable results from young Liam Harris have seen Nomads Lynx move into third position but it may be the Nomads Caracals, who include Chris Jones, Denise Thompson and Vic Little, who could mount a promotion challenge.

Nomads Pumas have found a niche in mid-table, a place to which Brotherhood J have also risen, thanks to new-signing Dan Still and improving juniors Maci Harvey and Harley Wood.

Windsor Kites no longer have concerns about finishing bottom where three teams - Nomads Leopards, Nomads Ocelots and Windsor Swallows - are currently separated by three points.

The first of the league's tournaments, the handicapped singles, takes place on Saturday, February 3 at St James Hall.

Details will shortly be sent to all players.