by MALCOLM PRATT
 
A  nail-biting  climax  to the Wearside League is in prospect as Ryhope  CW  and
Scarborough Town continue to battle it out for the championship.
 
Both  sides  won  last  night,  leaving Martin  Swales'  team  just  two  points
ahead  of  the Seasiders who have a couple of games in hand and a  significantly
better goals difference.
 
Ryhope  have two games to play, against Easington Colliery at home on  Wednesday
and at Scarborough on Saturday, May 8.
 
Boro  still have five fixtures to fulfill, including the Sunderland  Shipowners'
Cup Final with Teesside Athletic on Bank Holiday Monday.
 
Before  then,  they  meet  New Marske tomorrow night  before  lining-up  against
in-form Annfield Plain on Saturday.
 
Then  comes  what could be a deciding game with Ryhope and on May 15 Boro go  to
Cleator Moor Celtic.
 
Ryhope  will aim to win their last two matches and hope that Scarborough's  busy
programme takes its toll on them.
 
There  were  no signs last night, however, that either side was wilting.  Ryhope
comfortably saw off the challenge from third-placed Teesside Athletic.
 
A  well  delivered  corner by David Newby was headed in by Richie Jordan  on  20
minutes  and before the interval another flag kick was fired home from the  edge
of the penalty area by Neil Moan.
 
In  the  second  period, Newby was again the provider for Jordan  to  score  his
second goal and cement a 3-0 victory.
 
Scarborough  won  an  eventful game at Boldon CA by a  four-goals  margin.  Josh
Greening  and Joel Ramm both beat goalkeeper Robert Clark inside the opening  11
minutes.
 
Worse  was  to  follow for the South Tynesiders when Mark Williams was  shown  a
straight red card in the 35th minute.
 
Just  before  the interval, Martin Brown made it three and James  Whitehead  put
through his own goal mid-way through the second period.
 
In  the last minute, Boldon went down to nine men as Nick Quinn was sent off for
committing a foul when he was the last defender.
 
Annfield  Plain, unbeaten since September, have a good chance to finish in third
spot.
 
After  being  fourth-from-bottom, they are now fourth-top after winning  18  and
drawing six of their last 24 fixtures.
 
Their  latest success was at Wolviston where goals by Aaron Robertson and  Colin
Snailham  (pen) proved sufficient. Glen Walker was credited with the home side's
only goal.
 
Hartlepool  were thumped 6-0 at New Marske for whom Sam Garvie (2), Mark Dawson,
Shaun  Howes,  Craig  Gibbon  and  Stephen  Barker  all  beat  overworked  Pools
goalkeeper Mark Bell.