Northern Rock ECB North East Regional Premier League: Stockton remain second from bottom but better times are surely ahead if they reproduce the form they showed at Newcastle on Saturday.

Richard Waite led the way with an unbeaten century and with Jason Lowe adding 39 and Pierre Jason making 44, the healthy total of 262 for four was achieved.

The attack made early inroads into the Newcastle innings but were held up by James Davidson (68). Even so, the Tynesiders never threatened victory and at stumps Stockton were very much in the ascendancy with the home side struggling on 134 for seven.

Norton suffered their first defeat of the season when leaders Tynemouth ran out winners by 30 runs. The Seasiders totalled 194 for nine with Jonathan Kean and Peter Armstrong sharing eight wickets.

The visitors conceded two early wickets before Gary Park and Jonathan Rickard came together but although both contributed half centuries the innings ended on 164 all out.

Chester-le-Street are second after completing the quickest victory of the day. Neighbours Durham Academy laboured through 46 overs making only 105 at Ropery Lane for whom Glen Read returned the outstanding figures of five for 30 in 16 overs.

Geoff Cook made a rare appearance for the Academy and top-scored with 27 while Mark Stoneman had five boundaries in 26. Although they lost four wickets reaching the low target, the Cestrians were never troubled.

South Northumberland remain third after they drew a tense match with neighbours Benwell Hill at Gosforth. Blaydon had 35 runs in hand of Gateshead Fell after declaring with 214 for eight on top from 63 overs.

Durham County's Graham Onions claimed three wickets for a mere 25 runs in 6.3 overs and Craig Simpson also took three wickets for 38 runs from the nine overs he delivered. After being skittled out for 39 in their previous game Hetton Lyons produced a much improved batting performance and almost claimed their first win against Sunderland.

Skipper Sean Birbeck (79) and ex-Riverside player Stuart Walker with 60 top-performed leading the Lyons to 226 for eight. Sunderland's performance at the wicket was again disappointing and it took a last-ditch stand between Chris Rushworth and Simon Brown to save the day as they teetered to 151 for nine.

Stuart Walker had a good day with six wickets for 44 runs and Tommy Nixon took three for 28.