Nehemiah Perry hit an unbeaten century for fancied Blaydon, but Tynemouth, and Wayne Falla in particular, rose to the occasion and produced the shock result of the day.

The Seasiders went into the game in bottom position and when they faced a target of 244 the omens were not good. But Falla, who is not keen to play the all-day game, again demonstrated what an outstanding batsman he is. Runs flowed when he opened and his innings only ended in the penultimate over when he was run out with four runs required for victory.

By then, he had hit 135 with a couple of sixes and 11 fours and shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 171 with captain Barry Stewart. It was fitting that Stewart should still be there when victory was secured. He ended unbeaten on 69 in his first game in charge.

Earlier, West Indian Perry stroked 17 fours, carrying his bat for 118, and was involved in a big stand with captain Mark Drake (51). They put on 157 for the third wicket but in the end, it was Falla who took the plaudits.

Newcastle had the better of Sunderland by a margin of four wickets. Faced with a target of 221 they were pleased at the form of Scott Kay, who made 111 before falling to Adam Applegarth.

Earlier, Sunderland's runs came mainly from captain Simon Old with 46, the former Durham County and Middlesex opener Michael Roseberry (47) and Stuart Pattison (55).

The top-of-the-table clash between Gateshead Fell and Chester-le-Street rather predictably finished as a draw but it was the Cestrians who gained the most bonus points, 14 against their opponents' seven.

Openers Shaun Birbeck (118 not out) and Allan Worthy (102) propelled the Cestrians to 247-2. There was a third century-maker in the game as Gateshead Fell's Marcus North carried his bat for 100 which together with 34 from Phil Taylor took the home side through to 180-5 by the time stumps were drawn.

Philadelphia's clash with Benwell Hill ebbed and flowed from beginning to end and it took last pair Phil Empson and Ian Potter to bat through the final overs to earn Phili a draw. Benwell Hill struggled in the early part of the morning session but Lee Crozier raised their hopes with a splendid innings of 89 and towards the end, Stephen Lunn added a quick-fire undefeated 39.

Western Australian Gavin Swan again impressed for Phili along with fellow countryman Jim Allenby, the pair each claiming three wickets as the Hill ended on 202-7 from 65 overs.

Skipper Andrew Roseberry has yet to find form and when he was bowled without scoring and his opener partner Darren McKitterick run out for just ten, it was the home side's turn to struggle. Fred Napier (50) and Allenby (69) retrieved the position to such an extent that victory looked possible. But Shahid Nazir (4-42) and David Rutherford (3-41) regained the initiative for the visitors.

The game between Durham Academy and Norton was evenly poised when time was called. Needing 228, the home side were 192-5 mainly as a result of the efforts of Marc Symington with 82 and captain Kenny Gresham (41).

Earlier, Symington starred with the bat claiming 6-46 as the Academy were bowled out for 227. Paul Cummins (58), Gary Scott (41) and Stuart Walker, with a top scoring 60, all hit form for Durham.

Stockton gave a good account of themselves in holding high-riding South Northumberland to a draw but it was a close call. It took an unbeaten 56 from Alan Walker and a defiant 25 from John Davidson late in the order to save the day as the innings ended on 180-9.

Walker, with 4-44 and Richard Waite (3-86) doggedly pursued South North's free-scoring batsmen but captain Adam Heather, Chris Hewison, Martin Speight and Ian Gilthorpe all passed 30 and Dewald Pretorus added 41. Later, Pretorus claimed five of the Stockton wickets for 31 runs.