JUST a week after reviving their championship hopes, Stockton saw their chance of retaining the NEPL title hit as they slumped against one of their principal challengers.

Hetton Lyons, with their fifth win in six and their sixth of the season, inflicted a six-wicket defeat on their rivals which dropped them down to fourth place, 57 points in arrears.

Having helped turn the championship into a twoclub race, the Lyons are now involved in a chase with leaders South North, who are 14 points ahead.

The Lyons gave cause for a double celebration for veteran batsman Allan Worthy who became the first in NEPL history to reach the 9,000 runs milestone.

He hit the target with 56 out of 211-4, sharing a second wicket partnership of 81 with rising star, Ryan Pringle, who made 54.

Lal Kumar (4-49 from 20 overs) produced the ammunition to restrict Stockton to 210-9 before a declaration after 60 overs.

Richard Waite was the visitors’ top man with 85 from 125 balls, including 11 boundaries, and there was 49 for Jamie Harrison n his return from injury.

Lyons got over the winning line after 53 overs, seven less than Stockton spent in their innings.

South North comfortably beat Benwell Hill, who were previously fourth but have now dropped a place after being bowled out for 157 in reply to the Gosforth club’s 221-8 from 61 overs.

Karl Turner hit 81 for the Bulls before being run out, and then Dave Rutherford (4-19) and Lee Crozier (4- 53) got down to the job of making the wickets drop steadily.

Durham Academy continued to struggle for form, losing for the third time in five against Blaydon, who have now squeezed into third place in the league ratings after four successive wins.

The home team looked comfortable in scoring 260- 5 before winkling out the youngsters for 146, thanks to three wickets from Gary Stewart and two apiece for three of his colleagues.

Only Adam Hickey, with 31 runs, impressed for the Academy who have slipped to second bottom place just ahead of Gateshead Fell who, like Durham, have yet to win.

The Fell surprised everyone by holding out against Chester-le-Street, who made 240-5 prompting an early declaration after 50 overs but were then unable to part Gateshead’s final two batsmen.

They finished on 223-9 with Sam Roseby (86 not out) still unflustered.

Adam Whatley (71 from 74 balls) had earlier given them hope of causing the shock of the day.

Whitburn, with a three wicket win over Newcastle in which Paul Coughlin, Durham’s newest starlet, hit 70 and Craig Smith took six wickets, and Tynemouth, who defeated struggling Sunderland by a massive 139 runs. were the day’s other successes.