Any doubts that Stockton's early-season form would be a flash in the pan were surely dispelled on Saturday when they defeated Sunderland to move into pole position.

It is a far cry from last season when they managed just one victory but having seen off Sunderland, who went into the fixture on equal points, they are gradually establishing themselves as genuine contenders for the title.

Faced with a target of 226, Stockton lost an early wicket before Andy Bowman and Richard Waite came together in a second-wicket partnership which was to be the foundation for victory.

Both contributed half centuries but in the end it took an unbeaten 30 by Matthew Crease and 29 not out from Alan Walker to secure the points. Franklin Rose was prominent in the Sunderland innings hitting an undefeated 61 which together with 47 from captain Simon Old appeared to put the visitors into a good position.

While Stockton go from strength to strength, the same cannot be said for their former NYSD League colleagues Norton who are still without a win.

Newcastle celebrated their first victory when Alex Brown conceded only 18 runs in 16.1 overs, seven of which were maidens, taking four wickets and Keith Brown returned 4-29 from 18 overs (eight maidens) to reduce Norton to 121, which took 62.1 overs to compile. Only Kenny Gresham and Marc Symington offered much resistance.

Although the Tynesiders used up 35.4 overs they were rarely in danger. Tim Stonach celebrated his debut with 39 and Nick Tomlinson carried his bat for 35. All four wickets were taken by Symington at a cost of only 32 runs in 13 overs.

Chester-le-Street were again close to victory against Durham Academy. The weather has been unkind to them all season and they were within 11 runs of success with five wickets remaining.

Blaydon are still without a win but came within a run of tasting success when they tied their game at Gateshead Fell.

Faced with a target of 186, they had five wickets remaining at the end of a thrilling match in which Paul Underwood and captain Mark Drake both made half centuries. Marcus North was the most productive bowler of the six used in the Fell attack, claiming four of the five wickets for 49 runs.

Gavin Read impressed on his debut for Philadelphia when he took four wickets for just 20 runs in 13 overs.

He failed to remove Martin Speight though and his unbeaten 100 was crucial to the South Northumberland total of 187-9. Phili's early reply was unimpressive but an unbeaten 32 from the former Stockton all-rounder James Davidson staved off defeat.

Runs were at a premium when champions Benwell Hill hosted Tynemouth.

Newcomer John Atkinson topscored with 31 as the Seasiders struggled to 104 all out with Martin Pollard and Lee Crozier both picking up three wickets.

The Hill's reply, punctuated by the rain, managed only 71-8 as yet another newcomer in the Tynemouth line-up, professional Iqbal Siddiqui picked up four wickets for a meagre 19 runs.