Foster's ECB North-East Regional Premier League: Blaydon, who have never been far from the top during their six years in the league, are again in pole position after seeing off Philadelphia with consumate ease.

Although the former Durham Academy player Stuart Walker made a sound 66 with nine fours, Phili's innings crumbled to just 151 all out in 57.1 overs as Gary Stewart, John O'Neil and Neil McGarrell each took three wickets.

The target proved comfortable with opener Paul Underwood batting throughout for an unbeaten 58 (eight fours) and the former Lintz youngster Stephen Smith adding 49 before he became one of only two wickets claimed by Phili.

Stockton are second from bottom after losing by 31 runs to Sunderland.

Their target was 201 but even though they were assisted by no fewer than 39 extras they managed just 169 as John Butler claimed six wickets for 60 runs.

Fred Napier made a maiden half-century for Sunderland and Tom Skillbeck added a valuable 45 in a total of 200-9 declared.

Norton comfortably held Durham Academy to a draw at the Racecourse ground. Mark Stoneman, Paul Craig and Gale all passed 50 leading the Academy to the formidable total of 251-8.

Norton though more than held their own and a mid-innings partnership between the Symington brothers, Marc (51 not out) and Craig (38) paved the way for an eventual total of 180-4.

Chester-le-Street had Newcastle on the defensive at Jesmond but an undefeated 62 by Nick Tomlinson, batting at number three, denied them victory.

Durham County spinner Graeme Bridge and talented youngster Andrew Smith each took three wickets but Tomlinson's defiance meant that the Cestrians still needed two wickets when time was called.

Smith also starred with the bat contributing 68 not out to the Chester-le-Street total of 254-8 declared.

Daniel Shurben opened with 83 and Quentin Hughes added 41 while for Newcastle, Bennett claimed five of the eight wickets to fall.

Champions South Northumberland drew their local derby with Benwell Hill and at stumps there was little between the sides.

A half century by Simon Birtwistle featured in the Hill's total of 205-9 with spinner Lee Crozier capturing 5-35.

South North made an inauspicious start to their reply before Crozier (38) and Michael Smalley, with an unbeaten half century steered their side to 180-8. Gateshead Fell had wickets and time to spare overtaking the Tynemouth total of 162.

Ian Pattison was in superb form cracking 11 boundaries in 94 and Philip Taylor added a valuable 31 as victory was achieved for the loss of six wickets.

Graeme Hallam, whose 72 included two sixes and six boundaries and Stephen Scott (38) produced most of the runs for the Seasiders who found the bowling of Pattison and the former Durham County spinner Nicky Phillips problematic.