Foster's ECB North-East Regional Premier League: Norton moved off the bottom of the table for the first time in weeks when they recorded only their third win of the season, defeating Blaydon.

New overseas player, Indian Siddhardh Verma, and local lad Marc Symington played prominent roles in what could be a crucial result in Norton's bid to avoid the possibility of relegation.

It was Verma who dismissed both Blaydon openers Ian Somerville and Paul Underwood but not before the pair had raised the hopes of the Tynesiders that they would post a formidable total.

Somerville contributed 33 and Underwood had four boundaries in 35 before Verma struck.

From then on, it was all downhill for Blaydon and Symington quickly wound up the innings with a devastating spell which included a hat-trick.

He ended with season-best figures of 5-13 from 12.5 overs, four of which were maidens and from a promising start, Blaydon slumped to just 123 all out which took 46.5 overs to compile.

Norton conceded two early wickets when they replied, but man-of-the-match Symington and Verma ensured there would be no collapse. Symington remained unbeaten with 35 after going in at number three and Verma added 33 to a promising third-wicket partnership.

The Tynesiders used six bowlers in their attack but none equalled the performance of Symington.

Stockton were the only other side to win as rain swept across the north of the region by mid-afternoon.

Richard Waite maintained his outstanding form with 74 and Paul Walker, Chris Hooker and Guy Darwin all made at least 30, propelling Stockton to 225-7 before the declaration was applied in their home game with Gateshead Fell.

Despite a defiant unbeaten 34 by Richard Smith, batting at number eight, the Fell's innings ended on 142 as Darwin took four wickets for 51 runs and Alan Walker 4-40.

Philadelphia were desperately unlucky not to secure a much-needed victory at the expense of Tynemouth. They required only another 13 runs with seven wickets remaining when the downpour arrived, causing the players to leave the field at 2.45 pm.

Despite strenuous efforts to make the pitch playable when the weather improved, the game was eventually abandoned at 7.18 pm.

Nicky Phillips, playing only his second game of the season for Phili, impressed with both bat and ball. He took two wickets for just eight runs from nine overs.

Promising youngster Luke Anderson had 2-8 in five overs but it was Ian Potter who found the Bunker Hill wicket to his liking when Tynemouth batted first.

His line and length earned him five wickets for a mere 22 runs in 12.4 overs and Tynemouth were all out just after lunch for 58 following 35.4 overs.

With rain threatening, Philadelphia wasted no time attacking the low target.

Phillips struck a six and six fours making 35 but after only 7.2 overs, no further play was possible.

South Northumberland increased their lead at the top of the table over Durham Academy by a couple of points. They gained seven from their abandoned game with Sunderland, who had reduced the leaders to 150-9.

Franklin Rose (3-47) and the former Durham County paceman Simon Brown, who took four wickets for 40 runs, were the bowlers who in the main caused South North batsmen their problems.

Chris Hewison with 42 and Martin Speight (30) formed a productive partnership for the third wicket but following their dismissals, Sunderland regained the initiative.

Durham Academy had lost half their wickets with just 70 runs on the board at Benwell Hill. They did not gain a bonus point and are now 22 points behind South Northumberland and only 16 in front of third-placed Stockton.