The big news in the Northern Rock North East Premier League was the defeat of South Northumberland who lost their one hundred per cent record to South Shields.

Johnny Wightman was the Shields hero as he grabbed five wickets, and despite Jimmy Miller's 72 South North were bowled out for 198.

Geoff Cullen then cracked 10 fours and 1 six in a free-flowing 77 and with Danny Shurben hitting 38 Shields eased over the winning line by three wickets to record their best victory since promotion to the NEPL.

Gateshead Fell pulled off their first victory of the season and in so doing consigned Newcastle to bottom spot as the Jesmond outfit were beaten for the sixth time, Chester-le-Street reigniting their own title hopes by taking thirty points from the game.

The two top dogs in the Warmseal Durham Senior League slugged out a draw, Burnmoor making 211-5 with Barry Dews (65) leading the way. Hetton Lyons looked as though they could pull of a vital victory when Ryan Pringle (75) was at the crease but when he went they settled for a share of the spoils on 185-7.

Ryton continued their pursuit of Swalwell at the top of the Wellstream Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League with a two wicket win over Tynedale.

The home runs were shared through their batting order as Tynedale made 204-6, but Ryton's star Sri Lankan, Anil Riddee, hit a superb 70 to see his side to yet another victory.

For Swalwell it was business as usual as they knocked off Shotley Bridge's imposing target of 268, Phil Carlin their top scorer with 57. Ian Pattison (92) and Lloyd Anderson (47) were the driving force for the leader's two wicket success.

Two weeks after scoring a personal best 163 for Kimblesworth in the Readers Durham County League Paul Craig amazingly hit another 163 as his team piled past the 300 mark again, and Evenwood were left to play for respectability as they ended 87 runs adrift.

Esh Winning were the surprise losers when they went down by two wickets at Willington, Kiwi Sam Wells the home star with 4-47 and 32 runs.