With three matches remaining in the 2003 league season, it's anybody's guess as to which team will bask in the glory of a league championship come season's end.

At one stage it appeared as though Southampton Rangers would cruise to a second league championship in four years, however, losses to St.George's and more recently against defending league champions Western Stars have narrowed the gap at the top to 11 points.

What makes things even more interesting is that Rangers will clash with second placed St.David's at Lords when the league campaign resumes on July 27 in a match that is certain to go a long way towards deciding who obtains all the bragging rights.

Also threatening are the resurgent Stars, who earlier this season, looked anything but league title material.

Their woes cast aside, Stars are now firmly back in the hunt for the championship, and like St.David's, also remain on 123 points - some 11 points adrift of the leaders.

It should also be noted that of the lead trio, Stars, at least on paper, appear to have the easier path to travel. They face minnows PHC, Somerset and St.George's - the latter two fixtures on the friendly confines of St.John's Road.

Rangers, on the other hand, will have to walk the tightrope as they must tackle St.David's, Cleveland and fast-rising Willow Cuts, who recently saw off the present league leaders Western Counties' challenge by 45 runs.

Like Rangers, St.David's will also come up against Cuts before closing out their season against a Cleveland side that has managed to hold their own this summer.

At the other end of the spectrum, things are also too close to call as only 19 points separate bottom team PHC from third from bottom Somerset Cricket Club.

Somerset currently have 82 points with Cuts breathing down their necks four points adrift with 78 points, while PHC have 63.

Both Somerset and Cuts are facing tough matches heading down the final stretch.

Somerset tackle St.George's, Stars and PHC, while Cuts also have their work cut out for them in the form of Cleveland, St.David's and Southampton. PHC will also run the gauntlet as they meet Stars, St.George's - who they managed to upset earlier this season - and Somerset.

In the First Division, it's a case of Bailey's Bay all the way.

Bay are now heavy favourites to wrap up the league championship as they presently hold onto a 16 point lead over second placed Flatts with three matches to go.

However, just who may accompany them into the Premier Division next season also remains up for grabs as Devonshire and Flatts are locked in a two-way battle for the sole remaining promotion spot. Flatts currently have 137 points to Devonshire's 132 - a mere difference of five points with a game in hand.

Devonshire take on lowly Social Club in a make up contest on Sunday and should overhaul their rivals before squaring off in a crucial clash against Bay on July 27.