Stockton, who went to the top of the Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League on Saturday, quickly conceded pole position when they lost their first game of the season.

Blaydon tasted their initial success dismissing Stockton in 52.1 overs for 106.

Guy Darwin struck five boundaries in 45 but generally the batsmen were contained by Craig Simpson and John O'Neil who both claimed three wickets.

Stockton produced a spirited performance in the field and Blaydon had to pull out all the stops before winning by three wickets. They were indebted to Ray Marshall's unbeaten 33 as Richard Waite captured five wickets for just 24 runs in 11 overs.

Chester le Street are the new leaders. They met an almost 200-run target at Tynemouth when Gavin Hamilton and Quentin Hughes both made half centuries.

Durham Academy took the maximum 30 points from their game with Norton after Stuart Walker struck three sixes and 15 fours in 142. Marc Symington's 62 was the best Norton could offer.

The Readers Durham County League leaders Evenwood demolished Shildon for just 12 runs in 13.1 overs and the game was over by 3.10pm.

Eight batsmen failed to score as Deighton Butler captured four wickets for as many runs and John Maughan took four for seven runs.

The Evenwood innings lasted just nine minutes - surely the shortest in their history.

Horden move to the top of the Federation Special Durham Senior League again as a result of Hetton Lyons only being able to draw against Burnmoor. A super all-round display from Nadeem Khan was largely responsible for Horden's seven-wicket win over Durham City.

His 5-37 off 20 overs held City to a very modest 100. Then Khan starred with the bat as he hit an unbeaten half century.

It took Hetton Lyons almost three hours to bowl their overs with Ian Male claiming 5-38 in Burnmoor's 159. Although Paul Riddle (40) and Gerry Strydom (45) added 71 together the pace was too slow to reach their target.