Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League: Sunderland defeated Blaydon for the first time in six seasons and celebrated by consolidating pole position.

The Tynesiders have been Simon Old's bogey team and when he was dismissed without scoring, he no doubt had fears that it would be Blaydon's day once again. It got worse when Freddie Napier also went early but Lee Rushworth and Alan Mustard retrieved the position before Durham County's Gary Scott struck a match-winning 60.

The first four Blaydon batsmen all passed 20 but no player made a big impact. Fortunately Nick Hillman (32) and Gary Stewart, with an unbeaten 28, added valuable runs as they posted a score of 176.

Marlon Black took five of the wickets with former Durham County paceman Simon Brown claiming four.

Gateshead Fell achieved the quickest success of the day beating a weakened Philadelphia side, who were back in the pavilion shortly after lunch with 104 runs on board.

Callum Ferguson and Nicky Phillips shared seven wickets before the Fell strolled to a seven-wickets win. Their match-winner with the bat was Australian Callum Ferguson, unbeaten on 73.

South Northumberland are back in business and they won with plenty to spare at Tynemouth.

The Seasiders made the lowest score of the day when they were bowled out for just 97. West Indian Kerry Jeremy tok 4-25 and captain John Graham had 3-11.

South North eventually realised 199 for nine declared with Michael Smalley (42) and Jeremy (27) making late crucial contributions.

Durham Academy overtook the Newcastle total of 207 all out with seven wickets remaining. Mark Stoneman hit an opening 41 and Ben Harmison ended unbeaten with an excellent 94.

Andrew Pratt (65) and Joel Hughes (54) were the principal contributors for the Tynesiders. In the Academy attack Paul Cummins captured 6- 61.

Benwell Hill conceded the last remaining unbeaten record when they were all out for just 111 at Norton.

The Hill never recovered from losing Taufeeq Umar without scoring.

The Symington brothers, captain Craig, and Marc, then secured victory, each scoring 32 not out, sharing an unbroken fourth wicket partnership.

Stockton moved into joint fourth position with an excellent performance over Chester-le-Street.

Cestrian captain Allan Worthy took the gamble of declaring after just 56 overs leaving Stockton 64 overs in which to make 285.

They did so with five wickets and nine balls remaining as the runs flowed from James Lowe (78), Richard Waite with 68 and Chris Hooker, who contributed an unbeaten 57.

Wayne Ritzema made a century and Quentin Hughes was just four runs short of three figures as Chester-le-Street also found run making easy, realising 284 for the loss of just four wickets.