Gateshead Fell, who failed to record a victory last season, made it three wins out of three defeating Stockton with half their wickets intact.

Richard Waite was the only visiting batsman to seriously threaten the home attack but his half century, which included six boundaries, only succeeded in taking Stockton to a lowly 120 all out from 49.3 overs.

Both Stephen Lugsden and Marcus North had identical figures of 3-28 but any hopes Fell had of securing a quick victory were thwarted when the home side lost their openers for just six.

North, however, and Ian Pattison contrived to ensure there would be no collapse. North contributed 31 to the third-wicket partnership but it was Pattison, with an unbeaten 63 including one six and five fours who steered his side to victory in 30.1 overs.

Chester-le-Street maintained their 100 per cent record in a low-scoring contest at Ropery Lane.

Tony Birbeck's side struggled scoring just 140 which included 36 from Quentin Hughes and 30 from Stephen Merrington batting at number eight. The Sunderland attack was shared by three bowlers and Franklyn Rose, Adam Applegarth and Stuart Pattison always had the home batsmen on the defensive.

So too did Ashley Thorpe and Paul Chivers once they were introduced into the Chester attack. Thorpe captured six wickets for just 33 runs in 15 overs and Chivers backed him up with a three-wicket haul, the pair reducing Sunderland to only 124 all out.

Benwell Hill sent Tynemouth back for fewer than 100 runs with Shahid Nazir and David Rutherford sharing seven wickets.

In contrast, the runs flowed when the Hill took first strike. Both Simon Birtwisle and Michael Gough, their Durham contracted player, made the 81 in a total of 268 for three.

South Northumberland bowlers performed even better to the consternation of Norton who were shot out for just 82 which included an unbeaten 36 by debutant, Durham's James Brinkley. Dewalt Pretorus's pace was too much for Norton and he returned his best figures to date of 7-26.

South North's batsmen, and captain Adam Heather (103) in particular, enjoyed batting first in a total of 261-4.

After having half the Durham Academy batsmen back in the pavilion for fewer than 100, Philadelphia were left chasing a target of 202 at Bunker Hill and failed by five runs with their last pair at the wicket.

Gary Scott made the game's top score of 81 and Australian Gavin Swan, with 4-54, was another bowler to turn in his best display to date.

Phili's aspirations suffered early setbacks before Fred Napier (60) raised their hopes but when the middle order again collapsed, it was left to Shaun Smith and Swan (34). They almost snatched victory but so too did Graham Onions for the Academy and his five wickets were taken at the economical cost of only 35 runs.

Blaydon celebrated both the return of West Indian Nehemiah Perry and their first victory of the season. Geoff Stewart led them to 171 despite Neil Wake, Mark Turnbull and Keith Brown all showing up well in the Newcastle attack. The target proved just too much for Newcastle and Blaydon ended eight runs ahead but the result was always in doubt after Wayne Ritzema with 80 and Jim Mathewson (30) figured in a productive third-wicket stand