South Northumberland lifted the league crown for a fifth successive year on a dramatic last day, which brought heartbreak for Sunderland.

Leaders by a point before the final games, the Wearsiders finished a point behind their rivals with everything decided on the extra first innings points gained by South North on the run-laden Gosforth pitch. Just one more run would have given Sunderland the crown.

South North hit an impressive 254 for four with Chris Hewison making 118, including 17 fours and two sixes, and sharing in a fourth wicket stand with Adam Cragg (78 not out). Cragg hit 13 boundaries before the declaration at 54 overs.

South Shields wilted under the attack of Lee Crozier (five for 53) and Richard Brook (four for 36) after Lee Whalley (33) and Danny Shurben (27) gave hope of achieving a better reply than 152 all out.

The win by 102 runs for the champions completed a league and cup double.

Sunderland, facing the tougher opponents, beat Durham Academy by 126 runs. But it was the loss of batting points that cost them dear. If they had been able to declare with just one more run to their credit the title would have been theirs.

They posted 209 for eight and had three balls to get the additional run, but it was not to be. The Symington brothers, Marc and Craig, both hit half centuries, Marc then taking five wickets cheaply to help dismiss the Academy for 83.

Blaydon finished third, despite losing heavily against Newcastle. Rob Fahrenheim (110 not out) and Matt Hynd (73 not out) shared a formidable second wicket stand in a total of 212. Gary Saxton (four for 52), Jonny Bailey (three for 45) and Ross McClaren (three for 48) restricted Blaydon, despite 71 from Geoff Stewart and 61 from Graeme Bridge.

Chester-le-Street ended fifth after a four-wicket win against Tynemouth, in which Andrew Tye (four for 50) and Quentin Hughes (86) were the star performers.

Second bottom Norton looked like getting their second win of the season but were thwarted by Gateshead Fell's last two batsmen, who played out time.

Norton posted 261 for seven with Craig Knox unbeaten on 109 before Will Gidman (141) took the game within sight of a dramatic finish. Fell had to rely on two bowlers to bat out the final overs for a share of the points.

Stockton finished bottom after being overrun by Benwell Hill.

David Myers (126 not out) set up their visitors to post 246 for eight before Stockton collapsed to 118, their 11th defeat.

Swalwell will be champions of the Foster's Northumbelrand and Tyneside Senior League if they win on the final day of the season this weekend.

After outplaying fellow challengers Leadgate to return to the top, they will head for Ashington on Saturday full of hope.

Swalwell turned a single point deficit on Leadgate into a 13-point lead with Tynedale, champions for the last three seasons, moving into second place when they won against Newcastle City.

Leadgate dropped to third, a point further behind, but after their defeat by Swalwell could have too much leeway to make up when they entertain City.

The four-man attack of Marcus Peart (3-23), Stuart Pattison (3-26), David Rutherford (2-36) and Ian Pattison (2-45) put Swalwell on top as Leadgate were dismissed for 154. Rutherford (40) and Lloyd Anderson (37) led the leaders to their 14th win.

Tynedale's defeat of Newcastle by ten wickets was especially impressive with Mark Armstrong (five for 35), Scott Kay (69 not out) and Neil Clark (42 not out) all in sparkling form.

Ashington retained fourth place, even though they lost to bottom club, Percy Main, whose victory by 66 runs was only their third all season.

Steve Linsley (88) edged the Main to 184, despite seven wickets for Paul Straker.

Lintz also lost as Shotley Bridge's opening pair of Phil Brown (69 not out) and Peter Collingwood (61) turned on the style to see them home by four wickets.