Norton made a very useful 231 for five against Stockton in their second division match. Neil Fox was just five runs short of a century and Geoff Kean contributed 71 while for Stockton Mark Fletcher was the pick of the attack with three wickets for 47 runs.

Replying Stockton gained a share of the points when they finished with 145 for five which included a half-century by Stephen Ward.

Gateshead emulated the first team by defeating Tynemouth with eight wickets to spare. Faced with a target of 182 they were grateful to Brian Arkle for his 77 and to Nick Brown for his 64.

When Tynemouth made first use of their wicket they finished on 181 for one with Vince Howe hitting an unbeaten 83 and Tom Whiting 69 not out.

Benwell Hill reached 200 for the loss of seven wickets as the runs flowed from Simon Lunn (53), David Griffith (50) and David O'Neil (35no) while for South Northumberland Richard Temple claimed four wickets for 43 runs.

Responding South North posted 167 for two with both James Brown and Michael Smalley making the identical score of 53.

Michael Nunn (34) and James Butler (24no) led Sunderland to 239 as Keith Porter captured five wickets for 28 runs and Andrew Robson had figures of three for 31. Newcastle were 138 including 49 by Andreas Hageman and 31 by Robson. James Butler bowled a good end for Sunderland picking up four wickets for 37 runs and seasoned campaigner Chris Young had three for 29.

Chris Metcalf and Ian Nairn both scored centuries in Chester-le-Street's drawn match with Norton at Ropery Lane. Metcalf contributed 103 and Nairn 116 to the Cestrians' total of 255 for four and in reply Norton were 80 for two when the match had to be abandoned because of rain.

In the second division league cup Norton progressed at the expense of Benwell Hill on Sunday. Geoff Keen scored 82, Chris Thomas 87 and Chris Tait 52 when Norton realised the huge total of 279 for five from only 45 overs. Anthony Forcett then took three wickets for 28 runs in nine overs to restrict Benwell Hill to just 159 all out.

Gateshead Fell also went through when they hosted Sunderland and won by 28 runs. Batting first the Fell totalled 164 for eight with Paul Morris making 58 not out and Tim Gray an unbeaten 30. Sunderland replied with 136 for eight of which Michael Nunn contributed 58 not out and for Gateshead Fell Philip Hudson had three for 34.