In the Dukes ECB North-East Regional Premier League match of the day, champions Chester-le-Street came off second best in their draw at home to leaders South North.

The rain-affected match saw the visitors bat first and opener Marcus North made 46, with John Graham scoring 54 in a total of 220-7 off 41 overs, with John Harrison the pick of the bowling, returning 3-37.

When Chester batted, they were never going to threaten the score and settled with 125-6, with Andrew Smith top scoring on 42 and opener George Harrison made 34, with Simon Birtwisle claiming 3-12 in four overs.

Eppleton tied at home to Benwell Hill, with both teams scoring 165 all out.

Jandre Erasmus’ 88 was the highlight of the Eppleton innings, with Max Williamson taking 4-49 and there were three wickets apiece for Haseeb Azam and Anthony Hunter.

Opener Adam Heather made 61 for The Hill, with Peter Halliday making 30 down the order and they needed just one run off the final ball to win, but Anthony Hunter was run out by Joseph Coyne.

The Durham Academy won their second match of the season, with a six-wicket victory at Newcastle, despite an excellent century from Joshua Phillipe, who made 112 off 110 balls, including 19 fours. Sean Tindale with a patient 30, took their score up to 228-6 declared.

In reply, opener Ross Greenwell made 69 and Christopher McBride scored 65 not out. Liam Trevaskis then blasted 41 not out off 46 balls and Jamie Dass added 39, to ensure they won by six wickets.

Stockton’s game at South Shields did start, but the rain washed out the match, with the Teessiders on 28-1 and Hetton Lyons game at Felling, did not start due to the weather.

In the Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League, Shotley Bridge beat Newcastle City when they amassed 238-8, with Stuart Graham top scoring with 54 and Ross Andrews making 38.

Paul Greenwell and Ross Andrews both made 38, with Ian Stubbs taking 3-40 and Ihsan Ul-Haq taking 3-55 in the bowling returns.

When Newcastle City batted, they could only manage 128 all out, with Adam Philiips taking a brilliant 5-42 and Mick Allen adding 3-10 with the ball. Shahid Khan top scored with 32.

Lanchester played a tie, when their game at Swalwell ending with both teams scoring 174-6.

Swalwell were guided by Lloyd Anderson’s brilliant 103 not out, off 104 balls, including eight fours and three sixes.

When Lanchester batted, opener Graham Brinton scored 41 and Kieron Taylor made 51 not out, in an entertaining game and reduced to 40 overs a side.

Esh Winning had an excellent Readers Durham County League win at Burnopfield by three wickets, with Jamie Robinson firing 78 not out in their innings chase of 161-7, with Joe Dodd taking a brilliant 5-62.

Burnopfield scored 160 all out, with Paul Chivers striking early with 4-43, reducing them to 8-4 at one stage.

Seaham Park continued their impressive start to the season, with a five-wicket win at home to Castle Eden. The visitors batted first and made only 120, thanks to Andrew McKensie (3-30) and Michael Walker (3-27), bowling very well at first change at both ends, with Alan Unsworth top scoring with 37.

In reply, the home side knocked off the runs required, with Neil Young scoring 36 and Dale Shaw 31 not out, despite Alan Unsworth taking an excellent 4-11, with the ball.

Durham City are into second place with a narrow two wicket win at home to Dawdon, who batted first and made 162-9, with Nick Newton scoring 55 and Steven Gale 41, with Nick Howe taking an excellent 5-29.

City were in real trouble at 58-5, but Callum Steel (40) and Andrew Hutchinson (44no) off 39 balls, coming in at number nine, batted well to see them home in the end, with David Coates taking 4-40.