Despite gaining the maximum 30 points, Chester-le-Street failed to make up ground on leaders South Northumberland who are favourites to clinch a record third consecutive championship.

The leaders also took 30 points from their game at Norton who were bowled out for 121 as spinner Richard Brook claimed five for 33 after pacemen Stephen Humble and Brendon Ford had shared four wickets.

Runs were more plentiful when South North batted first and they were just one run short of 300.

Adam Heather struck a century, his opening partner James Miller added 85 and Chris Hewison 65. Skipper Craig Symington utilised eight bowlers in attack but only Chris Williamson (4-15) managed to stem the flood.

Chester-le-Street declared at 242 for eight against Philadelphia at Bunker Hill before bowling out the home side for 182.

Daniel Shurben was another century-maker, ending on 109 and a late 43 not out by Chris Andrews proved useful. Stuart Walker returned five for 55 with his left-arm spinners.

Brett Pelser (35) and Walker (31) temporarily raised the hopes of the underdogs and young Scott Borthwick batted a good innings for 49.

Once the Cestrians took out the top order, there was little resistance and another spinner, Quentin Hughes, eclipsed Walker's performance, conceding only 16 for his five-wicket haul.

It has been a disappointing second half of the season for Sunderland, who suffered another defeat. Kyle Coetzer, with an unbeaten 118 and Phil Taylor (78) led Gateshead Fell to the formidable total of 279 for six.

Marlon Black conceded 101 for his two wickets.

There was limited opposition from Freddie Napier with 41 but his colleagues struggled against Ian Patterson and spinner Nicky Phillips.

The pair each took four wickets and Sunderland were back in the pavilion for a modest 133.

Newcastle remain second bottom above Philadelphia with the Tynesiders favourites to avoid relegation. They gave Tynemouth a good game before losing by ten runs.

Replying to a target of 185, they were in a strong position following contributions of 42 apiece from Tim Stonoch and Joel Hughes. Jason Bennett added 33 but in the end Nick Quinn's six for 50 and four wickets for David Barrick saw them end on 174.

Graeme Hallam and Ian Purdy both passed 30 but it was Barry Stewart with another good innings of 65 not out who took the Tynemouth total to 184 for eight.

Blaydon went down by seven wickets to Durham Academy at the Racecourse.

Skipper Mark Drake (61) and Neil McGarrell (34) top-performed in a total of 183 as Chris Rushworth took four wickets.

The target proved comfortable for Geoff Cook's side.

Mark Stoneman maintained his impressive form scoring 58 and Carl Turner (36 not out) and Mohamed with an unbeaten 37 formed an unbroken partnership for the fourth wicket.

Farukh produced an unbeaten 101 and David Myers 69 in the Benwell Hill total of 249 for nine at Stockton.

James Lowe and Guy Darwin both reached the 60s but following their departures, the innings ended on 209 for nine with Paul Cummins taking six for 64.