Chester-le-Street moved up to third in the Dukes ECB North-East Regional Premier League after a convincing 138 run win over Whitburn. The Cestrians batted first, but struggled early on as Craig Smith’s two wickets and James Thomson’s 4-80, left them reeling at 115-6. However, 38 from Christopher Carter and a blistering 71 from Liam Simpson off 73 balls, which included four fours and six sixes, took them to 246-8 declared.

In reply, the home side also struggled early on, with Adam Hickey taking 3-20. Paul Shields top scored with 39, of 93 balls and was the only batsmen to show any resistance, with Liam Simpson adding 3-16 with the ball. Whitburn were 108 all out.

Hetton Lyons had a comfortable win, at second-bottom South Shields. The home side asked the Lyons to bat first and they made 164-9, thanks to 53 from Dominic Thompson and 47 from skipper Jarvis Clay, with Chris Stewart returning 4-34.

Shields fell to 9-4, with opening bowler Robert Talbot returning 3-14, in a brilliant opening burst. Ben Whitehead then took 5 -34, to rip through the middle order and leave the home side all out for 101.

Stockton entertained leaders South North, and the visitors batted first after winning the toss, making 185-9, opener Simon Birtwisle scoring 63, including 11 fours, with skipper Kevin Ward returning an excellent 5-45.

In reply, once Tom Hewison was out for 37, the innings crumbled with Lee Crozier taking 4-41 and Simon Birtwisle returning 5-29 to win by 69 runs.

Eppleton asked Newcastle to bat and they amassed 262 all out, with 88 from Alisdair Appleby, 66 from Joshua Philippe and 46 from Ben McGee, who shared an opening stand of 116 with Appleby. Joshua Coyne took an excellent 5-66.

Eppleton’s first three batsmen all got into their 20s, but could not push on and although Alexander Simpson scored 40 and Jandre Erasmus 37, Newcastle bowlers Sean Tindale (3-31) and Appleby with the ball (3-33), sealed the win for the visitors.

Division One leaders Sacriston won again by beating Washington at home, by nine wickets and Boldon won the big game at the top, leap-frogging their opponents Brandon into second place, in a very low scoring game by 18 runs, with Boldon’s Paul Leonard taking an excellent 7-20, off which five were LBW.

Lanchester won the Durham Derby in the Go North-East Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League by 71 runs, when they travelled to Leadgate.

Batting first the visitors scored a healthy 199 all out, thanks to a century from Sam Crooks. He hit seven fours and seven sixes in 103 off 107 balls. Lewis Fletcher returned 5-46, from 9.1 overs.

In Leadgate’s innings, Aaron Halliday took two early wickets in his (3-16) and then Greg Halliday removed Robbie Hockaday and Vihang Ahlawat, who had both got into their 20s and then Callum Barnes wrapped it up with 3-42, despite Daniel Gowland making 34 not out in 125.

Shotley Bridge with their eighth win of the season, moved into second place with a six-wicket win at Tynedale. The home side scored 198-8, thanks to skipper Thomas Cant making 96 not out off 137 balls, including ten fours and four sixes.

Shotley opener Kieran Milburn scored an impressive 72 off 94 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, with 45 not out from Allen’s bat and 37 not out from Lewis Hall, in a 77 run partnership to help claim the points.

Seaham Park remain top of the Readers Durham Cricket League, after a 29-run win at Dawdon, who remain second bottom. The home side batted first and made 182-6, thanks to half centuries from Neil Young and Michael Walker, with Michael Ewart returning 3-28. Anthony Watson took 3-34, to put the home side on the back foot and once Jonathan Dent had gone for 63, Dawdon were all out 153, with Walker returning 3-18.

Easington, in second, remain a point ahead of Tudhoe in third, despite losing by 110 runs at Littletown, who are now 17 points from safety. The home side made a healthy 202, thanks to 57 from Dan Pearson, 51 from Matt Dench and 36 from Joe Dodd, with John Leslie taking 4-51 and James Ward 3-50.

Easington were skittled for 92 with Bryan Conlon taking five for 27, with only Robert Atherton with 40 and Gary Ward with 33, showing any resistance.

Tudhoe stay third, despite their loss at Castle Eden and are now only two points ahead of Whiteleas, in fourth. The home side scored 187-9, with Richard McGlasham scoring 48 and Keith Bailey added 30, with Roshan Jayatissa taking 4-54. When Tudhoe batted they were 54 runs short, making 133 with Jayatissa helping himself to 86 runs. Bailey took 3-41 and Richard Ede 4-51 to win the match.