Foster's ECB North-East Regional Premier League: Although Durham Academy took maximum points from Gateshead Fell, South Northumberland powered their way to another impressive victory against Chester-le-Street and are looking more and more a championship side-in-waiting.

Once again, they made first use of the wicket to give themselves the best opportunity to gain most points and the batsmen didn't let captain John Graham down.

After initial innings by Adam Heather (35) and James Miller (39) it was Chris Hewison, who starred. He struck 127 and Martin Speight contributed 41 to the formidable total of 293-5.

The hopes of Chester-le-Street rose with a second-wicket partnership between Daniel Shurben (80) and Quentin Hughes (61), but West Indian Reon King and local lad Ian Hunter were the eventual winners.

King claimed five for 78 runs and Hunter 5-51 as the Cestrians collapsed to 214 all out with only two other players making double figures. Durham Academy also enjoyed a handsome win over Gateshead Fell at the Racecourse, but their best efforts look like going unrewarded.

David Barnes made the highest ever score by an Academy player when he took an unbeaten 177 off the Fell attack with three sixes and 20 boundaries.

He shared an opening stand of 73 with David Barritt (33), paving the way for a total of 283-3, which came from only 60 overs.

Despite the early promise of Stewart Hutton (42) and James Forster (30), the Fell innings lost its way until Graeme Arkle, batting at No 9, struck a half century, which included eight boundaries.

In the end though, a trio of bowlers shared the wickets.

Moneeb Iqbal sent down the maximum 20 overs, conceding 44 runs for three wickets, Chris Rushworth returned 4-42 from the 10.3 overs he delivered and spinner Gary Scott had 3-35 in 11 overs.

Sunderland's inconsistency was again in evidence at Ashbrooke where they were bowled out for 126 by Blaydon.

Only Lee Rushworth (43) made much of an impression as Durham County paceman Graeme Onions took four for 56 and spinner Neil McGarrell 3-21.

In contrast, the runs flowed when Blaydon batted first. McGarrell led the way with 92 and Gary Stewart added 39 to the useful total of 250.

Stuart Patterson and Stuart Ferguson shared seven wickets in the Sunderland attack.

Norton comfortably won the bottom-of-the-table battle at Tynemouth, where they had seven wickets in hand replying to a target of 194. Matthew Brown opened with 65, but it was Marc Symington who dominated the reply, carrying his bat for 99.

Batting first, Tynemouth were all out for 194, which included useful scores by John Atkinson (38), Wayne Falla (33), Karl Spratt (33) and a top-scoring 45 from Iqbal Siddiqui. Stockton enhanced their chances of finishing third, defeating Newcastle by 69 runs. Richard Waite maintained his good form, scoring 47, Stephen Ward made 34, Peter Howells 44 and Chris Hooker 43 as a total of 250-7 declared was posted.

There were early inroads into the Newcastle innings and although Gordon Muchall added 41, the reply lacked a big contribution and ended on 181.

Philadelphia, fielding a severely weakened side, crashed to 119 all out against Benwell Hill at Bunker Hill. The pace of Shahid Nazir (7-42) and the spin from Lee Crozier (3-38) proved problematic throughout. Although the visitors conceded five wickets, they were never in great danger so long as Simon Birtwisle was at the wicket and his 47 was essential to victory.