Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League

It was not the happiest of days for Norton against old rivals Stockton. After struggling in the field for 60 overs during which Stockton amassed a big total, Norton were all out before reaching three figures and lost by 166 runs.

There was no indication in the early play that the visitors would dominate. Three of their first four batsmen managed only eight runs between them before Richard Waite and Pierre Jason, who both contributed 35, came together in a fourth-wicket partnership which retrieved the poor start.

It was Robert Atkins (56 not out) and former Durham bowler Alan Walker who gave the innings momemtum. Walker added 67 to allow the declaration to be applied at 262-8.

Marc Symington sent down 17 overs taking 4-66, having claimed the wickets of Stockton's opening pair and Stephen Purcifer returned 3-43 from 11 overs.

The early introduction of Waite into the Stockton attack quickly brought problems and the innings collapsed to 96 all out from 36 overs. Waite returned the outstanding figures of 6-30 in 12 overs and Matthew Crease gave support with 3-23 from 11.

Newcastle also found run making difficult when they visited champions and neighbours Benwell Hill. It was a struggle from the off as Shahid Nazir (6-50) and Martin Pollard with 3-11 ripped through the innings which realised just 81.

The low target was meat and drink for the Hill and victory was in sight when Simon Birtwistle became Newcastle's only victim after contributing 35 to a first-wicket stand with Steve Dunsford, who ended with 41 not out.

The runs flowed at Ashbrooke where Sunderland had 60 runs to spare over Gateshead Fell. Youngster Lee Rushworth and the former Middlesex and Durham County opener Michael Roseberry added 172 for the fourth wicket.

Rushworth hit four sixes in 132 not out and Stuart Patterson kept up the good work and his unbeaten 41 allowed for a declaration at 269-4 from only 56 overs.

Chris Taylor struck 74 from 42 deliveries with one six and 12 boundaries and Marcus North added a half century but Fell's reply closed on 209 when Franklin Rose picked up five for 67 runs in 12.1 overs.

Chester-le-Street had to work hard for a two-wicket win over Blaydon at Ropery Lane despite being required to score only 181. Neil McGarrell, who had picked up 10 wickets in his first two games, pegged the Cestrians but following three early successes, he failed to add to his tally.

David Robson (44), David Wilson (35) and Graham Race, with an unbeaten 32, carefully led the home side to victory.

Stephen Gale took the man of the match honours. The former Dawdon youngster sent down 7.5 overs claiming six for 27. Paul Underwood, who batted throughout the Blaydon innings for an unbeaten 66, and Geoff Stewart with a similar score contributed most to the innings of Blaydon who have lost all three games.

It has not been the best of starts either for Tynemouth who went down by 32 runs at South Northumberland. Michael Smalley's unbeaten 55 guided South North to 151 as Barry Stewart took four of the wickets at a cost of 37 runs.

Philadelphia lost for the first time in five league and cup matches when Durham Academy were comfortable winners at Bunker Hill.

Kyle Coetzer (46) continues to impress in his first season at the Riverside and so too does Alex Roberts who carried his bat for 47. Both Stuart Walker and Gary Scott added 35 before the declaration came at 248-6.

There were three early setbacks for Phili but Jim Allenby (67) and Darren McKitterick (41) raised hopes. Not another player though seriously threatened the Academy attack in which Roberts and Scott both claimed three wickets.