Foster's North-East Regional Premier League: UNTIL a fortnight ago Norton had not tasted success but, they made it two wins out of two when inflicting a first defeat of the season on Chester-le-Street at Ropery Lane on Saturday. And they did so in style winning with just one ball of a pulsating match remaining.

Cestrian skipper Allan Worthy must have fancied his side's chances when he declared after 60 overs with 236 for two on top.

But Norton took up the challenge and Sumit Puri claimed the man-of-the-match honours striking seven boundaries in 77, which together with 32 from opener Nicky Beall and 34 not out from Stephen Purcifer propelled Norton to victory in 59.5 overs.

Puri was the pick of the bowling, conceding just 36 runs in 20 overs, taking three of the six wickets to fall.

Daniel Shurben (38), Wayne Ritzema (67), Quentin Hughes (35) and Worthy (53) were the home side's stars with the bat.

Sunderland moved top of the table with a maximum-point win at Newcastle, where skipper Simon Old called a halt following 58 overs with the formidable total of 250-3 on the board. Old hit 96, while his opening partner Fred Napier added 84 and Durham County's Gary Scott an unbeaten 31.

Marlon Black and Simon Brown rocked Newcastle sharing four early wickets but, Ryan Allen, with a six and nine boundaries in 72 and captain Jim Mathewson (47 no) raised hopes of a Tyneside victory when they shared a big partnership for the fifth wicket.

Although Mathewson figured in another stand with Jonathan Bailey (30), he ran out of partners and the innings closed on 197 as Imran Shah took 5-45 in 16.5 overs. Black finished with 3- 36 from 13 overs.

Gateshead Fell moved into third place with a comprehensive victory over Blaydon. Former Durham County player Nicky Phillips ended undefeated on 71 and there were half centuries from Ian Pattison and Philip Taylor as the Fell romped to 233-7 declared.

Although the Blaydon attack suffered, Johnny O'Neil shone with 4-36 runs in 15 overs. Blaydon's batsmen then struggled and limped to 111 all out.

Pattison completed an excellent day's work taking 6-32 in 20 overs, nine were maidens. Phillips also performed well with the ball claiming three wickets.

Durham Academy drew their game with champions and one-time leaders South Northumberland at Gosforth.

A half century by Adam Heather was the best South North could produce in their reply of 165-8 after they had bowled out the Academy for 193.

Spinner Lee Crozier took four wickets while young Mark Stoneman, formerly with Burnopfield, made the game's top score of 87.

Stockton had almost 100 runs to spare defeating Philadelphia at Bunker Hill. James Lowe (36), Guy Darwin (40), Chris Oliver with 30 and man-of-the-match Richard Waite (54) plundered the home attack although Ian Potter was the exception, returning 5- 51.

Phili's reply never gained momentum and the innings stuttered to 158 all out as Waite returned the magnificent analysis of 6-19.

Taufeeq Umar was unstoppable in Benwell Hill's eight-wicket win over Tynemouth. He ended unbeaten on 164 and 39 from Simon Birtwisle and 47 not out from David Myers took the Hill to 261-2.

Wayne Falla opened with a century for Tynemouth and Barry Stewart added 58 before declaring at 257-8.