Foster's ECB North-East Regional Premier League: Chester-le-Street did their chances of winning the championship a power of good when they took 28 points from victory over Stockton, while leaders South Northumberland and Durham Academy drew their top-of-the-table clash.

The Cestrian batsmen rose to the occasion when they were required to score 222 which they did conceding only four wickets when Quentin Hughes and Ian Jones led the chase for runs.

Hughes 67 not out and Jones was also unbeaten on 82 as the pair put together an unbroken century partnership for the fifth wicket. When Stockton batted first, their batsmen also found the Ropery Lane wicket to their liking and a total of 221-9 was posted before the declaration arrived.

Andy Bowman (40), Richard Waite with 47 and Peter Howells (43) all produced form and in the home attack Jones and spinner Stephen Gale shared six of the wickets.

The match of the day between South Northumberland and Durham Academy ended in a draw with the home side gaining four points more than their opponents.

There was little to choose between them at stumps with just 14 runs and two wickets separating the pair. David Barnes with 60 raised the aspirations of the Academy that they could overtake the target of 177 but Ian Hunter, with 4-56, curtailed the flow of runs.

Chris Hewison made a half century and Martin Speight 32 leading South North to 176 all out. Chris Rushworth took four wickets for just 46 runs, Alex Roberts had 3-34 and Noneeb Iqbal 3-32.

Norton, still without Sherwin Campbell remain bottom of the table, following a six-wickets defeat by Gateshead Fell, who moved further away from the relegation zone. Craig Symington was by the far the biggest contributor to the Norton total of 180-8 when he made 76 and although the home side gained the early wicket of Stewart Hutton, Marcus North steered Fell to victory carrying his bat for 98. Three of the four wickets were taken by Marc Symington at a cost of just 38 runs.

Captain Simon Old led from the front when Sunderland celebrated a much-needed victory at the expense of Tynemouth. He carried his bat to finish on 130 not out as Sunderland reached 240 for the loss of four wickets before Old declared. Although there were one or two useful contributions down the order, Tynemouth never seriously threatened and they were all out for only 151 with Simon Brown taking six of the wickets for only 42 runs.

Philadelphia put the woes of the two previous matches behind them when they defeated Newcastle at Bunker Hill. Jim Allenby was undoubtedly man-of-the-match bowling 20 economical overs before making an unbeaten century. When the Tynesiders batted first, Allenby conceded just 37 runs and when James Davidson, captain Lee Beaumont and Luke Anderson all claimed a couple of wickets, Newcastle could only manage 153 in 55 overs of which Nick Tomlinson made 32 with six fours. Allenby opened Phili's reply and was still there when victory was achieved. He hit no fewer than four sixes and 18 boundaries carrying his bat for 114.

Johnny O'Neil and Neil McGarrigle both took three wickets reducing Benwell Hill to a modest 112 all out.

Blaydon found the target to their liking and won at a canter when Paul Underwood ended unbeaten on 49 and Graeme Onions celebrated his return from injury adding 31 to an eight-wickets victory.