The dream start to the season by South Shields after being promoted from the Durham Senior League came to an abrupt end when they were pushed off the top by new leaders Sunderland.

Having won their first three games, Shields suffered their second successive defeat on Saturday as Sunderland recorded an impressive win over Gateshead Fell.

The Fell put up a decent fight after losing early wickets with Cliffe Deacon (65) and John Foster (52) taking on the formidable Sunderland duo of Shahid Nazir (3-22) and Simon Brown (3-50).

They posted 201 but this proved no problem for Sunderland as county batsman Gary Scott showed his class with 119, his first ton of the season.

South Shields went down to Durham Academy, who had previously had difficulty bowling out opponents. But they had the Shields batsmen on the rack to win for the first time, and by an impressive margin.

Paul Muchall (89) gave them such a good start they reached 239 for eight, 119 runs more than Shields managed. Even though Daniel Shurben carried his bat for 74, a fine spell of seam bowling by Paul Hindmarch (5-17) gave the Academy the edge.

The major surprise came at bottom club, Stockton, where South Northumberland were held to a draw in a high-scoring encounter. The Teessiders had lost their four previous games, but despite being set a target of 279, they got within 45 runs of a shock win.

Chris Hewison made a century for South North and Stephen Humble (68 not out) and Brendan Ford (51) joined in the run chase. But Stockton's captain, Richard Waite, hit 86 not out to show that the reputation of their opponents meant nothing and he got invaluable support from Chris Oliver (45) and Chris Parr (36) in the middle order.

There was a welcome win for Norton - their first of the season - after Garry Park, another from the county production line, produced a ton against Tynemouth. Mark Cummins (64) led the Tyne club's assault but the 203 they offered provided no difficulty to Norton, who won by seven wickets, with Park on 115.

The other two matches were hit by the weather, Blaydon being thwarted at Chester-le-Street and Newcastle at Benwell Hill.

Blaydon had amassed 294 for five, largely due to a glorious unbeaten 156 from Alan Worthy, but Chester provided a spirited response with Quentin Hughes 67 not out as the home side reached 194 for four.

At Benwell Hill Simon Birtwisle hammered the Newcastle bowling for 108 before a declaration came on 234 for six. But Gareth Breese (72 not out) and Richie Evans (68) shared a great partnership before the heavens opened.