Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League.

Richard Waite produced a five-star performance but could not prevent Stockton from falling further behind in the race for the championship when they went down to leaders South Northumberland. Nearly half the Stockton total of 169 flowed from his bat but his contribution of 82 and a five wickets haul proved in vain.

Richard Brooke (3-43) and Michael Smalley with 4-45 restricted Stockton, who had an uphill struggle to save the game.

Sunderland were another side to move down the pecking order but Chester-le-Street improved their title aspirations winning at Ashbrooke by just two wickets.

Faced with a target of 159, it looked all over for the Cestrians when eight wickets fell for just 114 but Graham Race (27 not out) and Stephen Gale (25 not out) were the unlikely match winners with an unbroken stand for the ninth wicket.

Durham Academy are second following their narrow victory over Newcastle. The Tynesiders' were on top until David Barrick and Marcus Turner, the last two men, gave support to David Barnes who was not out for 45 at close.

After winning for the first time the previous week, Norton lost by six wickets at Benwell Hill. Chris Fawcett and captain Kenny Gresham both made 30 but the total of 124 compiled from 48.1 overs never looked sufficient. Lee Crozier claimed five wickets for just 27 runs in 15 overs with his spinners.

The result leaves Norton at the bottom of the table.

Gateshead Fell are only one place above them. They suffered a three wickets defeat against Philadelphia at Bunker Hill, who eased towards the target of 196 mainly as a result of the efforts of Shaun Smith (43), Shoaib Akhtar (35) and Jim Allenby, who remained unbeaten with 57.

Blaydon, who finished third top in the first two years of the competition, are now third from the bottom. Tynemouth never really threatened a target of 236 and were only 159-5 at stumps. Graeme Hallam was their saviour scoring 67 and Iqbal Siddiqui stayed around for an unbeaten 28.

Paul Underwood (71), Ian Somerville (31) and Ray Marshall with 53 batted Blaydon into a useful position despite the efforts of Jim Callaghan, Chris Beever and Ian Purdy - all took three wickets.