IT MAY be the Christmas break but competition is hotting up in the Huddersfield Indoor Bowls League.

The leagues are reaching the half way mark and their are plenty of ups and downs in all sections.

The Men’s Vets is developing into the annual battle between Matadors and Waverley.

Although Waverley have the advantage at the moment, they have the more difficult run-in and Matadors will just sit back and hope Waverley come a cropper.

The Ladies Vets is headed by last year’s winners Meltdown, but they can expect pressure from Foxy Ladies and Triers over the next couple of months.

Meltdown are favourites but the others are waiting for a slip-up and January could prove icy.

In the Mixed Vets, Wombles have opened up a six-point gap but Falcons, Torredors and Grasshoppers have some catching up to do and, when they get their fixtures up to date, things could get a lot tighter.

Men’s Super League is as tight as it possibly can be with three teams on 16 points. The Bandits are just one shot ahead of Archers, while Nomads are only a few shots behind.

Anything could happen in the New Year but Archers must be favourites as Bandits are blooding new talent and Nomads have the same stalwarts as before.

All the teams will be trying to prove me wrong, so good luck to all in the run-in.

Hansons Transport have opened up a four-point gap in the Men’s Evening League but Unbiased can still catch them in the second half.

The Evening Mixed League is headed by Bastermarand, who have been the team to beat over the last few years. The Eagles are pecking at their lead, however, but remain definitely second favourites.

New leagues will open in January on Wednesdays, with clubs recommended to be represented.

The Huddersfield Indoor Bowling Club continue to battle in the county league and reinforcements in numbers would be helpful. Contact the Sports Centre.