A first win of the season for Gateshead Fell made it a weekend to celebrate as they moved off the bottom of the Northern Rock North East Premier League.

Taking full advantage of playing fellow strugglers, Stockton, they enjoyed an impressive four wicket victory with Nicky Phillips, the former County spinner, hitting his top form to make sure the Fell kept the success they badly needed in sight.

The Teesside club totalled 171-9 with Guy Darwin collecting a half century at the top of the innings.

But Phillips (5-44) combined with Cliffe Deacon (3-43 from 20 overs) to keep on top of the visitors.

Deacon also excelled with the bat, top scoring with 43 as the Fell passed their target.

Stockton's defeat left them a point adrift of Norton at the foot of the table.

Norton went down to a 69 run defeat against Blaydon for whom another former County player, Graeme Bridge showed star quality. He was just five runs short of a century as the Tyneside outfit reached 271-6 and played a key role in bowling out the home side for 202.

Blaydon's run making was impressive with Peter Howells unbeaten on 52 and both Alan Worthy (49) and Mark Drake (48) both unlucky not to pick up half centuries. Nevertheless Norton's Craig Knox picked up five wickets.

The triumphant start to the season for South Shields came to an abrupt end when they had a bad day at the office.

It brought their first defeat at home to Sunderland.

South Northumberland currently in third place were held to a draw by Chester-le-Street with both sets of batsmen ruling the roost. South totalled an impressive 237-9 with the major partnership featuring Adam Cragg (73) and Chris Hewison (66).

Andrew Bell (4-62) and Liam Simpson (3-33) were the pick of the Chester attack. In reply, the visitors lost two early wickets but recovered superbly through John Coxon (65), Quentin Hughes (45) and Anthony Birbeck (34) and finished just 28 runs behind to earn useful points in a worthy draw.

There are only three teams unbeaten after the defeat of Durham Academy by Newcastle. Richie Evans (78 not out) was the star performer as the Tynesiders posted 210 at the Riverside and then bowled out the home side for 179. Paul Hindmarch collected five wickets for the Academy. But Uzair Mahomed (58) couldn't inspire his fellow batsmen against the steady bowling of John Bailey (4-34) and Rob Wilson (3-66) and Newcastle went on to win by 31 runs.

In contrast, Benwell enjoyed their first win of the season at Tynemouth. The victory by an impressive 111 runs was headed by 91 from Mark Dale and six wickets from Martin Pollard. Tynemouth never got their batting going and were all out for 123.