The situation at the top of the table is looking very interesting after Chester-le-Street beat the weather and Durham Academy to close in on leaders South Northumberland.

Following a 33 minutes delay at the start, the Cestrians declared following 50 overs with a near-200 score to defend.

Daniel Shurben opened with 69 and Wayne Ritzema added 42 as only another 44 minutes were lost to weher.

The Cestrians used six bowlers in the attack and five of them claimed wickets when the Academy were bowled out for 89 with just three balls remaining.

With every other game badly affected by rain, Chester-le-Street are now just eight points adrift of leaders South Northumberland with five games to play.

South North's match at Blaydon hardly got under way before the players were again forced from the field and eventually a halt had to be called. South North were 59 for two with James Miller still there unbeaten on 32.

More play was possible at Ashbrooke where third-top Benwell Hill managed to total 128 for the loss of three wickets from 37 overs. The bulk of the runs came from Simon Birtwisle who batted throughout for an unbeaten 95, hitting one six and 14 boundaries. Marlon Black bowled an effective 11 overs in the Sunderland attack taking two for 23.

The only other game to commence was at Tynemouth where Philadelphia were 82 for two. Brett Pelser (36) and Stuart Walker with 32 not out put together a good partnership for the second wicket before Pelser was run out.

Phili remain two points ahead of Newcastle at the bottom. The Tynesiders' local derby with Gateshead Fell did not start and the other derby fixture on Teesside between Norton and Stockton was also washed out without a ball being bowled.