STRUGGLING Stockton were unlucky to be denied a likely first victory of the season after their best batting display counted for nothing at Eastwood Gardens.

The Teessiders hit 293-6 against a Gateshead Fell attack which featured no less than eight bowlers, and there was an impressive partnership of 143 between Shane Peake (88) and James Ward (66) after openers Jon Rickard (45) and Kevin Ward (49) had set the run pattern.

But the Fell responded in cavalier style with Richard Steele (119) and Oliver Durrell (80) hitting 30 boundaries between them in a brilliant stand of 137. They reached 296-6 to win with five overs and two balls to spare after Malik Javed (25) and Stephen Devenport (27) made sure of the success with a sixth wicket partnership.

Stockton, now second bottom, faced the embarrassment of Gateshead overtaking them by picking up more points in the match – 23 – than their previous three matches had produced.

But fortunately for the Teessiders, bottom club South Shields have less bonus points after being defeated, like Stockton, in all the four matches they have played.

At the other end of the table, Chester-le-Street caught up with Blaydon to share the league leadership with their fourth win out of four coming at Hetton Lyons.

A top score of 64 from Quentin Hughes and four wickets for Richard Waite were enough to give the Cestrians victory by 103 runs as the Lyons were bowled out for 187 in response to their 290-9.

Shaun Birbeck’s 41 was only backed up by an unbeaten 32 from Jon Malkin as the Lyons faltered.

Blaydon dropped a vital point, which let in the champions, when they played host to Durham Academy who, on another day, might have won with the score they made.

An opening stand featured South African Keaton Jennings who made 88 from 133 balls and they went on to reach 240-9. Spinners Chris Varley (5-101) and Graeme Bridge (3-69) bowled 37 overs between them.

When Blaydon replied with 244 to win by four wickets, Allan Worthy continued his remarkable form with 72, his team’s highest. Mark Stoneman hit 48 and Bridge added 36 before being run out in the final successful run chase.

The shock result of the day came at Tynemouth where former champions, South Northumberland lost for the second game in a row. The home side won by three wickets after bowling our their visitors for 145.

Sunderland lost their Tyne- Wear derby with Newcastle, a major disappointment after starting the season with two impressive victories.

Several of their batsmen got into the 20s and Ashley Thorpe top scored with 31, but no one went on to make a major contribution and the Wearsiders managed just 183.

Newcastle, with Jamie Atkinson hitting 75 and Michael Richardson adding 52, won comfortably by six wickets.