Former Durham County player Marc Symington and captain Kenny Gresham combined to earn Norton their first win of the season on Saturday.

It looked as if the Teessiders were on their way to defeat against Philadelphia when four batsmen contributed only 32 runs between them, but opener Chris Fawcett made a valuable 42 before Symington and Gresham took control of the innings.

Both batsmen ended unbeaten on 54 securing a much needed victory by a margin of five wickets.

Former Stockton player James Davidson top-scored with 40 before being run out and newcomer Ben Smyth opened with 29 but despite 41 from Shoaib Akhtar, Phili failed to pass 200 and the total always looked vulnerable.

Newcastle sprang a surprise defeating Sunderland, who went into the match in pole position. Wayne Ritzema was just one run short of a century and when Ryan Philimore and Will Allan both passed 30, the Tynesiders set the Wearsiders a target of 252.

That a total of 208 was achieved was due almost entirely to two players. Lee Rushworth went in at number three and carried his bat for 133 before last man Simon Brown struck 43. They were the only players to make double figures out of a total of 208 as Alex Brown returned 6-79 and Paul Lindsay picked up three wickets.

South Northumberland are the new leaders. They maintained their exhilarating form, defeating Gateshead Fell by 44 runs. Skipper John Graham led the way with 65 and Matthew Hall contributed 61 to the visitors' total of 243-7.

Marcus North captured five of the wickets and after both openers departed to the bowling of Reon King without scoring, it was North who raised the hopes of the Fell. But after making the game's top score of 71, the innings ended with 199 on the board. King finished with four wickets and Chris Hewison collected three.

Richard Waite was a century maker in Stockton's big win over Tynemouth. Peter Howells added 64 enabling a declaration to be made with 269-9 on the board.

Following inroads into the Tynemouth innings, Stockton were held up by Graeme Hallam with 74 but when Waite and Matthew Creese both took three wickets, the Seasiders were back in the pavilion for only 168.

Chester-le-Street had little difficulty seeing off reigning champions Benwell Hill, whose total of 133 compiled from 41.3 overs looked well within the reach of the Cestrians. Daniel Shurben gave the reply a good start with five fours in 38 and Allan Worthy carried his bat for 60 including seven boundaries, figuring in an unbroken second-wicket stand with Quentin Hughes.

Marcus Turner struck four fours making 48 but the Hill batsmen found the opening attack of Ian Jones and Paul Chivers problematic. Jones returned 4-49 from his 12 overs and Chivers had three wickets for 39 runs in 10.3 overs.

Durham Academy were easy winners at Blaydon.

David Barrick picked up six wickets for 40 runs in 20 overs, including six maidens and the home side posted only 155 from 53 overs.

Stuart Walker then recorded seven boundaries out of 61 and David Barnes added a useful 35 leading the Academy to a seven-wickets success.

The three wickets were taken by West Indian spinner Neil McGarrell who continues to impress.