STOCKTON dropped a place in the championship ratings as they were outmanoeuvred by close rivals Benwell Hill after a terrific run chase in a match in which 480 runs were scored.

Back in business after the rain ruined previous weekend, the Teessiders made an impressive showing after being asked by their hosts to bat first and when they declared on 237-8 they looked to be in a strong enough position to grab their fifth win in nine.

Matty Brown (62) and opener Jimmy Ward (44) gave them a cracking start and with Kevin Ward adding 43 everything looked rosy.

Brown’s knock came from 111 balls and included six boundaries while the Wards produced contrasting styles with Jimmy facing 107 deliveries and Kevin just 42. Chris Hooker, with an unbeaten 36 from 44 balls, also showed his excellent versatility.

The Hill’s Zohaib Khan (4-39 from 12 overs) held back the Stockton batting onslaught and then produced a fine double act as he hit 68 with eight fours from 101 balls to win the game. Newly signed from Sunderland, Mark Dale (51 from 68 balls with seven fours and a six) made a major contribution on debut, while Rammi Singh (35 not out from 40 balls) defied pain from an injury suffered in the field to play his part.

Stockton’s bowling duo of Joel Thwaites (3-39) and Jimmy Ward (2-58) did their best to thwart the home batsmen but they got over the winning line with almost three overs to spare, picking up 24 points to Stockton’s seven.

South North defeated Sunderland by 145 runs to not only stay as league leaders but extend their advantage to 16 points. However, Hetton Lyons remain on their shirt tails after avoiding a potential banana skin against bottom club, Gateshead Fell.

They won by 61 runs after a couple of scares, firstly recovering from the loss of five wickets for 34 runs with a partnership of 87 to declare on 181-9, and then grabbing seven Gateshead wickets for just 35 runs after their rivals had reached 85-2. Shaun Birbeck (43) and John Tindale (40) were their batting heroes while Ryan Pringle (6-40) turned up trumps with the ball.

Blaydon were the day’s other winners at Newcastle with Ryan Buckley (73no) easing them to a two wicket success, but the two remaining top flight games were drawn, Tynemouth getting six more points than Whitburn and Chester-le-Street five more than Durham Academy.