A century by Neil Fox and 58 from Keith Symington featured in Norton's innings at Stockton. Geoff Kean added 35 and Norton ended on 230 for nine with Mark Fletcher taking five for 56 in the Stockton attack.

When Stockton made first use of the wicket and declared on 231 for nine Fletcher also starred with the bat contributing 38 while Ward added 50 opening the innings.

Gateshead Fell, easily defeated by Sunderland, after declaring with 262 for three on the board. Brian Arkle hit a marvellous unbeaten 166 and Devonport made 42 while when Sunderland replied Brown hit 89 but the innings ended on 169 all out as Arkle took three for 40 and Foster four for 24.

Hamilton was another century maker and he contributed 104 not out to the Chester-le-Street total of 206 for four declared at Blaydon where John Coxon opened the innings and scored 45.

Although Ronnie Platford opened for Blaydon and made 33, the innings collapsed to 97 all out as Roddam picked up three wickets for 18 runs in the Cestrians' attack. Bell, Hamilton, Robson and Smith were also among the wickets for Chester-le-Street.

South Northumberland laboured to 128 for nine at Tynemouth using 55 overs. Their top scorer was opening batsman Brown who hit one six and four boundaries in 42, while for Tynemouth Ben McFarlane sent down 15 overs seven of which were maidens and returned the outstanding figures of six for 13.

Tynemouth celebrated victory following 26.3 overs as Anthony Turner struck 54 and David Hayward carried his bat for 36 with seven boundaries.

Newcastle had the better of Benwell Hill in the local derby. Faced with a target of 205, their first three batsmen all passed 20 but it was an experienced Ian Porter who won the game when he finished undefeated on 59 out of a total of 207 for five. Ramsey and Scott-Williams each claimed two wickets for Benwell Hill who batting first ended on 204 for eight. Harrison remained unbeaten on 58 and Bell added a valuable 30 while for Newcastle Covell had three for 31 and Humble four for 45.