South Northumberland became the first side in the five year existence of the League to clinch back-to-back championships but it was a close call before they saw off a strong, late challenge from Sunderland.

The quirks in the points system meant that they gained just 21 from their last game of the season despite having eight wickets to spare over Norton at Gosforth.

On the other hand, Sunderland took 29 points from their 71 runs victory over Durham Academy at Ashbrooke. At the end of a nail-biting day for both clubs, South North emerged victors by the slender margin of five points.

Despite an opening 42 from Nicky Beall, Norton's total of 145 looked vulnerable to South North's batsmen and half-centuries from Adam Heather and Martin Speight spearheaded their side to victory and celebrations.

Sunderland batted first in their encounter with Durham Academy at Ashbrooke, hoping to win the maximum 30 points. Robin Weston (79) and Alan Mustard with 47 drove the total to 228-9 declared and in reply, the Academy were all out for 142 as Marlon Black and Simon Brown shared seven wickets.

Blaydon end third. They defeated Chester-le-Street by more than 100 runs when Johnny O'Neil and Neil McGarrell took seven wickets between them as the Cestrians managed just 160 all out.

McGarrell was also in form with the bat for Blaydon contributing an unbeaten century to the formidable total of 271-9 and for once the Cestrian attack, lacking the injured Allan Worthy, could do little to stem the flow of runs.

Stockton signed off, losing by five wickets at Benwell Hill despite posting a score in excess of 200. Guy Darwin, Peter Howells and Chris Oliver all passed 30 but an opening 73 by Simon Birtwistle and 43 not out by Dan Myers led the Hill to victory despite Alex Roberts claiming three wickets.

It has been an horrendous season for Philadelphia who end a poor bottom of the table. Paul Riddle (49) and James Davidson with a season's best 70 gave them an excellent start against Newcastle at Bunker Hill but the innings ran out of steam, finishing on 185-9.

There were a couple of early successes for the Phili attack but Lindsay Cullen took the bowling apart, hitting eight sixes and seven boundaries in an unbeaten 137 and the Tynesiders were home in just 38 overs for the loss of three wickets.

For most of the season, Gateshead Fell were at the basement but recent form has been much better and they signed off with a six-wickets win against Tynemouth.

Ian Patterson and Nicky Phillips shared eight wickets with the latter returning 4-9 before Stuart Walker (47) and Stephen Devenport with an unbeaten 33 earned the Fell their fourth win of the season.

l South Northumberland also won the Second Division championship when they drew at second-top Norton. South North's last pair were at the wicket to deny Norton a victory which would have given them the title.