STOCKTON’S batting failings came back to haunt them at Sunderland, and it cost them dear once more as they crumbled to a third defeat.

On a day when the full programme of games were played, they were among the losers, leaving Ashbrooke beaten by eight wickets.

The ground wasn’t deemed fit for play until 3pm following overnight rain and it was little surprise, therefore, when skipper Dan Shurben inserted Stockton.

And the visitors were under the cosh as a superb opening spell from Ashley Thorpe threatened to make the game a short-lived affair. The Teessiders lost their first five batsmen for 35 runs as Thorpe (4-19 in 13 overs) sliced through them, but once he’d left the attack James Ward (42) and Dave Seymour (32no) rebuilt to such an extent that their side reached 138-6 in their 40 overs.

With 33 overs available to chase down the score Shurben (38) joined with Mark Dale (69no) in an opening stand that settled the issue, Michael Robson (26no) helping with the final push as Sunderland romped home with eight wickets and six overs to spare.

Blaydon remained in pursuit of Sunderland and they gained ground by virtue of taking 28 points – nine more than the Wearsiders – in hammering Gateshead Fell who plunged to the bottom of the table. They gave a powerful performance to take advantage of Fell’s frailties after two hours’ play were lost to the weather.

In 38 overs they rattled up 207-4 with a century from Allan Worthy which included six fours and seven sixes and came from 99 balls. Geoff Stewart, who made an unbeaten 38, shared a fifth wicket stand of 87 with Worthy rattled up in 39 minutes.

Gateshead then collapsed with Gary Stewart (5-22) and Martin Pollard (4-27) the star pairing. Stewart, who had four maidens among his 11 overs, grabbed the season’s first hattrick, taking three of the last four wickets to fall.

South North, and the team they pipped on the finishing line last season, Chester-le- Street, got a second win under their belts, South North at Hetton Lyons and the Cestrians against Benwell Hill.

South North had Stephen Humble (6-27) and John Graham (60) to thank for a hardearned two-wicket success on the Lyons ground. The champions bowled out Hetton for 122 after Humble returned to the attack to help blast out the last seven batsmen for six runs.

But the Lyons provided the Bulls with a few anxious moments after top scorer Graham was out. Ben Whitehead (3-16) and Anthony Watson (3- 41) caused rare panic as they reduced the visitors to 109-8, but Jonnie Wightman and Michael Craigs held their nerve to get the 14 runs required.

Chester owed their success to Liam Simpson (50no and 4- 27) and skipper Quentin Hughes (45 and 3-9), the pairing proving too much for the Hill as they went down by 111 runs.

The two other games at Tynemouth and the Emirates both ended drawn – Tynemouth getting more of the points against Newcastle, and the Durham Academy similarly successful against South Shields.

For the Academy, who declared on 195-4, Cole Pearce made an unbeaten 109 and Jack Clark hit 48 in a second wicket partnership of 126.

Pearce faced 138 balls and included 11 boundaries in his maiden ton. Ryan Buckley then took five wickets but South Shields held out on 153-7.