NEWLY-promoted Hetton Lyons are finding life tough in their new surroundings and they suffered a third successive defeat at South Northumberland, who recorded their first win in three attempts.

Although Sean Birbeck and Stuart Walker raised hopes with a second-wicket partnership, Lyons found it difficult against the pace of local lad Stephen Humble and Australian Brendan Ford.

Humble claimed six of the wickets for only 47 runs while Ford conceded just 15 runs in his spell and the innings stuttered to only 134 all out.

Birbeck and Sean Izzard made a couple of early inroads into the South North innings but Ford, with an unbeaten 54 and captain John Graham shared in a fifthwicket partnership which saw their side to victory.

Newcastle came out on top of the Wear-Tyne derby at Ashbrooke where runs were at a premium.

Sunderland struggled through 38.1 overs making just 74 as Ross McLaren claimed five wickets for just 28 runs in 18 overs. Jonathan McCready gave support with three for 24 in 13 overs.

Newcastle found it difficult but they edged to their second win in three games by a five-wickets margin. Mervyn Dillon took three of the wickets for 37 runs and Chris Rushworth had two for 27 but it was not to be Sunderland's day.

Chester-le-Street had lost half their wickets for 80 runs, replying to the formidable Gateshead Fell total of 253 for seven.

After losing one of their openers quickly, the Fell recovered through Peter Towner (39) and in-form South African Martin Bekker with 64. John Forster (37) and Mark Turner (66 not out) maintained the assault to put their side firmly in the driving seat.

The Cestrians used six bowlers in their attack and Glen Read was by far the most successful taking four of the seven wickets for 58 runs.

Tynemouth were struggling on 166 for eight at close of play in their game at Benwell Hill. Graeme Hallam was their saviour with an excellent innings of 83 as the batsmen found it difficult particularly against Pakistani Yasar Ali (4-34) and Martin Pollard with two for 14.

Simon Birtwisle (62) and Mark Dale (40) gave the Benwell Hill innings a good start and Kyle Coetzer (46 not out) and Ali (39) kept up the offensive.

No play was possible in the games on Teesside between Norton and Blaydon and Stockton v Durham Academy.