LEADERS Stockton were frustrated by two outstanding teenagers from the Durham Academy after looking nailed on to extend their winning run to five in six games.

Adam Hickey, 16, and Andrew Ireland, 17, shared a partnership which took the youngsters from the perilous position of having lost their first four wickets for just five runs to 90 before they were parted. The recovery inspired Durham to hold out for a draw.

Stockton made 229-8 and declared after half centuries from Richard Waite and both James and Kevin Ward before Jamie Harrison (3-23) struck early blows. But Hickey, with 51 from 155 balls, and Ireland, with 36 from 84 balls, stopped the collapse and Durham clung on to make 119-9.

This gave Chester-le-Street the chance to make up ground which they duly did, cutting ten points from the Teessiders lead when defeating Newcastle by 67 runs in the first Ropery Lane league game of the season.

The highlight for the Cestrians was a superb century by Usman Arshad. He made 102 from 160 balls to rescue his side from the mini-crisis of being 21-2 after being asked to bat.

Five wickets from Jack Du Toit kept Newcastle interested, but set a target of 249-9 they made just 158 as the seven man home attack winkled them out in 52 overs.

Hetton Lyons made the most progress among the chasing pack.

The only side to take maximum points, they moved up to third as a result with Ryan Pringle adding more lustre to an already impressive reputation in the comprehensive 120- run win over Sunderland.

Pringle hit an unbeaten 156 to take the Lyons to 276-6. He hit 15 fours and four sixes as he faced 141 balls and then, to add salt to the wound, grabbed three wickets to share the bowling honours with Lal Kumar (3-46).

Sunderland, despite an excellent all-round performance from Mitch Claydon (3-92 from 19 overs and 63 from 81 balls) were never in the picture after he and Dan Shurben (40) were removed.

South Shields and Gateshead Fell are still looking for their first wins of the season and must now fear a relegation battle.

Benwell Hill left Shields in bottom place after Zohaib Khan (6-25) routed them for 105 and David Hymers, with the day’s most spectacular bowling figures – 8 for 42 – led Tynemouth to victory over the Fell.

In the first division, Whitburn stayed ahead of Brandon as leaders after their third win in five games. They defeated Willington, who they bowled out for 155, thanks to six wickets from Mark Elliott. Neil Ayre then anchored the successful run chase with an undeated half century.

Karl Turner took Brandon over the winning line when they hosted Seaham Harbour.

Jamie Robinson (5-40) helped bowl out Seaham for 160 before Turner smashed 16 boundaries in his 110 not out at a run-a-ball to celebrate victory by nine wickets.

Boldon’s first win of the season lifted them off the foot of the table, Eppleton the victims after being bowled out for 147. Nelson Pascal (4-61 from 13 overs) and Phil Shakespeare (3-45 from 11) caused the most problems for the home team before Shaun Hauxwell took his chance to shine for the winners with an unbeaten 93.

South Hetton enjoyed victory by seven wickets after Felling were routed for 63 by Murtuza Hussain (6-29) and John Leslie (4-40), while Washington (202-8) and Sacriston (187-7) settled for an honourable draw, Sacriston’s fifth stalemate of the season still managing to keep them in third place in the table.