In the Dukes ECB North-East Regional Premier League relegation battle, bottom club Sacriston gave themselves a lifeline against fifth-placed Whitburn, as Felling dropped to bottom spot.

First change bowler Jack Keall returned 4-49 to put the visitors in trouble at 31-5, until Chris McBride made (82) to steady the ship and Mark Elliott 41, in 166 all out.

The home side lost a couple of early wickets, but Reece Carr with 32 and 22 not out from Melvyn Betts saw them home by three wickets, finishing on 167-7 and move off the bottom spot.

Eppleton were at home to fellow strugglers Felling and bowled the visitors out for 146, thanks to Josh Coughlin, Joseph Coyne, Craig Scurr and Connor Whitelock, each taking two wickets.

The home side were positive throughout, with Joseph Coyne scoring 52 not out to see his side home.

Stockton lost again and are two points above Felling. They were at home to Chester-le-Street who declared on 216-7, thanks to George Harrison making 59, Liam Simpson 33 and Josh O’Brien 32 not out. The Teessiders lost wickets at regular intervals, with Joe Hewison top scoring with 36, but Stephen Cantwell with 3-33 and Liam Burgess 3-46, proved too strong as they were all out for 155.

At the top, Hetton Lyons took on champions-elect South North and the visitors made a healthy 201-6, thanks mainly to John Graham who scored 67 and John Harbottle who made 54, while Jonathan Malkin claimed 3-38 with the ball.

The Lyons collapsed to 31-6, as Jonathan Wightman took 5-21. They were all out for 90.

Lee Crozier took his 1000th first-team league wicket, when Cameron Grimwood, pushing forward, was caught at first slip.

Durham Cricket Academy travelled to Newcastle and were bowled out for 133. Ross Greenwell with 55 and Harry Adair 43, put on 64 for the second wicket.

Newcastle opener Thomas Dias scored 30 and Alexander Simpson smashed 72 from 74 balls, to get them home by six wickets.

Shotley Bridge stay third in Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League after winning at home to struggling Percy Main. They made 235-8, with Ross Burden scoring 66 off 83 balls, which included nine fours and two sixes. Mick Allen then smashed 69 off 47 balls, also with nine fours and two sixes.

Percy had half centuries from David Anderson and Fraser Oates, but Kieran Milburn with 3-22, ensured a welcome win in their pursuit of the title, as Percy Main were all out for 177.

Lanchester met Ashington and the visitors struggled until Ben Harmison struck 130no, with 18 fours and three sixes and added 137 for the fifth wicket, with Sean McCafferty, 44 off 52 balls, in 233-6.

The home side made 184 all out, mainly thanks to Greg Halliday who scored 51 and Callum Barnes who made 35 not out.

In Division 2, Leadgate slipped to fourth and 32 points behind leaders Morpeth, as they could only draw at Greenside. The home side were 142 all out, but Leadgate struggled and lost early wickets in the run pursuit, as James Radcliffe top scored with 34 in their total of 137-7.

Easington continue to lead the way in the Readers Durham Cricket League, as they won at home to Marsden. The home side posted 163 all out, with Jonathan Davis scoring 44 and Dane Wilson 39, as Marc Symington took 3-46. The visitors were all out for 67, as Omar Shahid returned 6-9, to win by 96 runs.

Crook beat Philadelphia at home after they restricted the visitors to 152 all out, mainly thanks to Daniel Doram who took 5-45 and Steven Chapman 3-20. Opener Andrew Pratt then cracked 71 not out and Doram with the bat, 49 not out, to win by seven wickets, finishing on 156-3.

Horden needed points to help ease their relegation problems, as they headed to Tudhoe. They scored 198-8 declared, with Adam Dixon making 69 and Dan Stephenson 59, while on the bowling front, Daniel Thexton and Matthew Wilson each claimed three wickets.

Tudhoe started well with Abhiram Joshi scoring 37, but Scott Birks with 3-42 kept them in check and the game finished in a draw with the home side on 171-6, with the visitors gaining 14 points.