For many years the authorities struggled to prevent the press and public referring to "The Sunday League." There should not be too much trouble now in getting it called the Norwich Union League, especially in the next phase of the season with more matches being played mid-week than on Sundays.

Take the next round of matches as an example. There are matches on Thursday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday as a number of counties take the opportunity to stage matches under floodlights on what we all hope will be balmy summer evenings.

Gloucestershire Gladiators begin proceedings this week on Thursday by going to Cheltenham to meet Hampshire Hawks. The Gladiators are at the top of the Division Two table at the moment, while the Hawks are fourth, eight points in arrears. However, that represents two wins and the Hawks have two matches in hand over the leaders, so this game could be crucial in the overall outcome of what promises to be a very close promotion race. It makes this match virtually and eight-pointer.

The single match on Sunday is the single Division One fixture this week, between Durham Dynamos and Leicestershire Foxes. A win for the Foxes would take them up into the leading group, while defeat would leave them languishing in the relegation dogfight. That's where the Dynamos will be, whatever the outcome of this match, for a second win of the season for them would still leave them in the relegation bracket.

On Monday, the floodlit action is at Chelmsford when Essex Eagles meet Middlesex Crusaders. The Eagles have soared to third place in the table, six points but three matches behind the leaders. This is a crucial match for them in the shaping of their Norwich Union League season, while the Crusaders are anchored to the foot of the table with a single win from their eight starts.

On Tuesday, the Rose Bowl will be lit up as Hampshire Hawks take on Lancashire Lightening. If the Hawks have won their match against Gloucestershire Gladiators, they could be looking for top spot at the end of this fixture. Lightening, on the other hand, have their attention centred on the other end of the table, although a couple of wins could easily transform their season.

Northamptonshire Steelbacks and Derbyshire Scorpions are in much the same position as Lancashire Lightening. Win a couple and promotion beckons; lose those matches and they will be consigned to the lower echelons of the division. The bright lights of Northampton (which is not a phrase that often appears in public!) will illuminate the way ahead for one of the two teams on view at Wantage Road.

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