Foster's ECB North-East Regional Premier League: Stockton produced one of their best performances of the season to dent the championship aspirations of Sunderland who went into the game with high hopes of closing in on the leaders.

But it was Stockton who triumphed and several players contributed to a handsome victory.

It was not all plain sailing though and danger signals flashed early on when Stephen Ward and Richard Waite were both dismissed for a combined total of only four runs.

It was then that Guy Darwin (53) and Alex Roberts (33) first stemmed the tide and then set their side on the way to a big total.

Peter Howells (42), Alan Walker with 56 and Davin Charleston (45) maintained the momemtum and Sunderland faced the formidable target of 271. Despite a brief threat from skipper Simon Old (39) and Alan Mustard (35), Stockton were never in danger as Waite and Tom Armstrong shared seven wickets.

Blaydon continue to confound the critics and they strengthened their grip at the top, defeating Newcastle in the Tyneside derby. Their matchwinner was West Indian Neil McGarrell - ending unbeaten on 105 in a total of 194-5.

Earlier, Newcastle posted 190-7 which included a half century by Joel Hughes and 30 plus scores from Paul Muchall and Nick Tomlinson.

Chester-le-Street remain second following their disappointing performance at Gateshead Fell where they fielded a weakened side.

The Fell, propping up the table, realised 259-7 as the runs flowed from Ben Young (73) and the former Durham County player Nick Phillips with 57. Youngster John Coxon opened the Cestrians' reply scoring 30 but in the main it took a backs-to-the-wall performance to stave off defeat as seven wickets went down for just 90 runs. Phillips claimed three wickets for only ten runs with his spinners.

Durham Academy stay third after defeating Tynemouth by 46 runs. Phil Craig and John Windows contributed half centuries to the Academy total of 197 for seven before the Seasiders were all out for only 151 as Mark Turner and Luke Evans claimed three wickets apiece.

Philadelphia improved their position near the bottom recording only their second win of the season. Norton, minus a couple of leading batsmen, limped to 139-8 before Marc Symington applied the declaration following 60 overs.

Phili have struggled for runs most of the summer but Durham County's James Lowe and Freddie Napier found form. Lowe impressed with an unbeaten 90 - his highest score of the season - while Napier finished undefeated on 40 as the pair put together a century unbroken partnership for the second wicket.

The derby between South Northumberland and Benwell Hill ended in a draw. Chris Hewison struck an undefeated 127 and Martin Speight 62 not out leading South North to an impressive 275-2. The Hill were in trouble from the start of their innings before Joe Moore (40) and Shahid Nazir with an unbeaten 34 prevented a total collapse and secured a draw for their side who ended with 133-8 on top.