THE first division title race is arguably the most competitive and trickiest to call, at this point in the Essex and Suffolk Border League season.

Leaders Cressing United have featured for much of the campaign so far but their 2-1 defeat at Tiptree Jobserve may cost them, as the chasing clubs take closer order.

There is a strong case for advancing the credentials of Sudbury Sports, who moved into second spot following their crushing 8-0 defeat of West Bergholt Reserves.

The young but fine-tuned Sudbury side look likely favourites to progress to the premier division by the time April arrives.

One defeat in 14 games and a goal difference of 62 makes them strong candidates.

Gosfield United, promoted last season, have kept up the pace and their 3-0 win at Little Oakley A sustained their interest.

They are currently third, level on points with second-place Sudbury.

However, they have played two games more.

The remaining challenges are likely to come from Tiptree Jobserve, who, like Sudbury, have been beaten just once, and Colne Athletic, who were idol on Saturday.

The top five teams have a meagre four points separating them and, with FC Clacton Reserves as outsiders, it promises to be a close-run promotion race.

In division two, Hedinghams United got their title aspirations back on track following two successive defeats.

They have a healthy five-point lead over second-place Shrub End United.

The leader’s goal difference is worth at least another point and the race could also include third-place Tavern, who, with games in hand, look another outsider for a promotion place.

The third division is similar to the first in that five teams are handily-placed to push on.

St Osyth, crucially, beat Stanway Athletic 2-1 and have an eight-point lead at the top, albeit they have played a couple of games more than their chasing rivals.

They are in decent form, having won three consecutive league matches, and their win over Athletic avenged the Knockout Cup defeat sustained over the Christmas period.

Second-place Lawford Lads Reserves are eight points behind but have two games in hand, while third-place Harwich and Parkeston Reserves have been on a goal spree, netting 36 goals in their last six matches.

Oyster, in fourth place, remain in contention without playing on Saturday.

Barnston Reserves, with games in hand, could make a real challenge and will be pleased to have progressed in the Tommy Thompson Cup on Saturday, beating Great Bentley Reserves 3-2.

Also in the Tommy Thompson Cup, there were wins for Harwich Rangers and Shrub End United.

In the Reserve Knockout Cup, there were successes for Stanway Pegasus Reserves and a strong performance from Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves to progress to the next round.

In the premier division, it was a fifth straight win for Stanway Pegasus, beating Barnston 3-1 to increase their lead by seven points over second-place Tiptree Heath.

They are also a further point ahead of Flitch United, who, like Heath, did not play on Saturday.

An outsider to press for the title could be fourth-place Great Bentley, who have 12 points to make up but five games in hand.

Champions Gas Recreation have paid for their inconsistencies.

Despite beating Little Oakley Reserves 3-1, 15 points in arrears with five games in hand on Stanway Pegasus seems perhaps an unrealistic chase.

Results: Premier division: Dedham Old Boys 0 Brantham Athletic Res 2, Gas Recreation 3 Little Oakley Res 1, Lawford Lads 0 Alresford Colne Rangers 0, Stanway Pegasus 3 Barnston 1, Tiptree Engaine 1 Hatfield Peverel 2, West Bergholt 1 Earls Colne 0, White Notley 1 Great Bentley 4.

First division: Boxted Lodgers 1 FC Clacton Res 3, Bures United 0 Stanway Rovers 3, Little Oakley A 0 Gosfield United 3, Sudbury Sports 8 West Bergholt Res 0, Tiptree Jobserve 2 Cressing United 1.

Division two: Brantham Athletic A 2 Elmden Rovers 5, Hedinghams United 1 Dedham Old Boys Res 0, Rowhedge 1 Wormingford Wanderers Res 2, Tollesbury 4 Tiptree Engaine Res 0.

Division three: Bradfield Rovers 1 Harwich & Parkeston Res 8, Kelvedon Social 1 Boxted Lodgers 1, St Osyth 2 Stanway Athletic 1.

Reserve Knockout Cup - rounds one/two: Cavendish Res 1 Stanway Pegasus Res 3, Hedinghams United Res 0 Alresford Colne Rangers Res 8.

Tommy Thompson Cup - rounds one/two: Barnston Res 3 Great Bentley Res 2, Harwich Rangers 3 Lawford Lads Res 1, Shrub End United 3 Tiptree Heath Res 1.