Stockton moved off the bottom of the table with their first win of the season at Tynemouth where runs were in short supply.

The first five Stockton batsmen contributed only 33 between them and the omens were not good but Scott Gillespie and Alan Walker took the total into three figures.

Gillespie struck a six and five boundaries in a valuable 40 and Walker, batting at number nine, contributed an extremely valuable 31 to his side's total of 147 which took 47.1 overs to achieve.

Barry Stewart caused most of Stockton's problems capturing six wickets for only 40 runs in 17.1 overs, eight of which were maidens.

The Seasiders fared even worse at the wicket. Their innings lasted an over less than Stockton's before they were all out for only 101 which included 34 by David Barrick.

Walker conceded just 21 runs in 13 overs, including five maidens and took four wickets as did Ian Still at a cost of just 18 runs from an 11-over spell.

Norton and Gateshead Fell were involved in a high-scoring drawn match.

The home side were left to chase the formidable target of 272 and despite a century by Nicky Beall, who was run out on 104, and 50 from John Watson, the total was just 226-6 at close of play.

Gateshead Fell too had a century-maker in Callum Ferguson, their new Australian who contributed 133 to a total of 271 for eight declared.

No fewer than 13 bowlers were used in the game and the most successful was Norton's Sumit Puri with figures of 3-63.

Twice champions South Northumberland moved to the top of the table with a near-200 run success at neighbours Newcastle.

The runs flowed from James Miller, captain John Graham and Matthew Hall as South North declared within 60 overs with 259-5 on top.

In contrast, Newcastle slumped to 61 all out as paceman Stephen Humble took three wickets and spinner Lee Crozier four wickets for just seven runs.

Remarkably, more than half the total came from Brian Allen with 36.

Sunderland were deposed as leaders after being well beaten by Chester-le-Street at Ashbrooke.

Skipper Simon Old and Gary Scott both made 30 but the home side's total of 136, which took almost 51 overs to achieve, never looked defendable.

Durham County spinner Graeme Bridge was the man who did most damage returning the outstanding figures of 5-25 in 15.5 overs, five of which were maidens.

Chester-le-Street's reply was swift and assured despite losing Daniel Shurben and Wayne Ritzema with few runs on the board.

Quentin Hughes (41) and captain Allan Worthy (30 not out) put together a third-wicket stand and Bridge contributed 31 before he had to retire through injury. By then Chester-le-Street were well on their way to an emphatic seven-wicket victory.

Philadelphia captain Stuart Walker was in blistering form leading his side to victory against his former club Durham Academy which he also skippered.

Walker introduced himself as first change into the attack and was immediately successful to finish with six wickets for 65 runs from a lengthy 19.2 overs spell.

Mark Turner, currently at the Riverside, again impressed with 3-49 in 12 overs as the Academy reached 204 all out in 59 overs.

Most of their runs came from Paul Craig with 48, Karl Turner (43) and Chris Rushworth who struck eight boundaries out of 50.

Walker then opened Phili's reply and had found the boundary line seven times before he was caught for 67.

Brett Pelser hit a couple of sixes and ten fours ending unbeaten on 76 and sharing an unbroken fourth-wicket stand with Mark Turner (38 not out).

Benwell Hill have drawn all five games after sharing the spoils at Blaydon who were 153-6 at stumps.

It did not look too good for the home side when they conceded six wickets but Nick Hillman and Gary Stewart held firm in an undefeated partnership for the seventh wicket.

Batting first, Benwell Hill reached 227-7 before declaring. Paul Cummins was in outstanding form and was only nine runs short of a century when he was bowled by Gary Stewart.