UNBEATEN Chester-le-Street are breaking the Tyneside stranglehold. With Stockton and Norton struggling in the bottom two places, Durham Academy yet to win their first match of the new season, and Sunderland taking a beating at the hands of South Northumberland, the Cestrians moved into the top three.

Their visit to Blaydon failed to produce a second win of the season but their batting was impressive and they finished on the top side of a draw.

Quinten Hughes with an unbeaten 74, Richard Waite with 48 and Andrew Smith and Liam Simpson with 41 apiece put Chester in a strong position with 244-6 despite 12 overs being lost to rain.

Hughes, who hit ten fours and a six, shared a stand of 121 for the sixth wicket with Simpson while Smith and Waite shared a 95-run partnership earlier in the innings.

Blaydon hit back with 72 between Allan Worthy (48) and Stephen Gale (31), but Craig Knox (31 not out) had to shut up shop to save the game after Waite took three wickets in a threatening 18 over spell.

Chester-le-Street gained 15 points.

Sunderland took a hammering from the powerful South Northumberland batting line-up with three half centuries in their 241-2. John Graham (58) and Adam Heather (51) led the way before Chris Hewison (62 not out) and Adam Cragg (41 not out) left the Wearside attack in tatters. Sunderland’s reply faltered with Brendan Ford (4- 31), Stephen Humble (3-54) and Richard Brook (3-2) sharing the wickets – the visitors only able to reach 142 and losing by 99 runs. South North extended their lead at the top from eight points to 13.

Durham Academy succumbed to the power of South Shields, who have now moved into second place, bowled out for 145 with Paul Muchall in command. After taking three wickets he helped himself to an immaculate half century, sharing in an opening stand of 146 with Daniel Shurben (88 not out) as Shields romped home by ten wickets.

Norton lost for a third time, although they made a great fight of it on their visit to Tynemouth. Dean Williams was unbeaten on 53 as Norton’s innings ended 19 short of the home total of 213-8. They were thwarted by Scott Borthwick who took four of the last five wickets to fall leaving Williams marooned without a partner.

Stockton brought an end to their poor start by sharing the points in a draw with Newcastle at Grangefield.

Jonathan Richard (50) got the Teessiders off to a good start as they chased 208 to win but they lost quick wickets needed the patience of Chris Hooker (51 not out) to lead them to 137-7. Karl Turner with five wickets was the most successful Stockton bowler.

Heavy rain put a premature end to Benwell Hill’s home game with Gateshead Fell.

The pitch became waterlogged with the hosts on 157-5.