Foster's ECB North-East Regional Premier League: Norton are still rooted to the bottom of the table after suffering an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of neighbours Stockton.

Although Marc Symington struck an impressive 92, the Norton total of 159, compiled from 57.3 overs, appeared vulnerable at the halfway stage.

Norton's worst fears were confirmed when Stockton simply paced their reply, securing a comfortable victory in just 30.1 overs.

Philip Walker batted throughout for an unbeaten 65 and his second-wicket stand with Richard Waite (72) took the side to within sight of victory before the partnership was broken.

It was Alan Walker and Guy Darwin who caused Norton their problems. Walker bowled 17 overs, ten of them maidens, returning the outstanding figures of 5-21 and Darwin took 5-48 from the 18.3 overs he delivered.

There is no change at the top since leaders South Northumberland and Durham Academy both won and gained 30 points apiece.

James Miller was in top form for South North against his former club Tynemouth as he carried his bat for 106. A half century from Chris Hewison and 37 from Matthew Hall propelled the leaders to 259-4 before the declaration was applied.

Tynemouth's reply began disastrously. Openers John Atkinson and Ian Purdy both went without scoring but Barry Stewart gave the innings credibility when he also made a century, scoring 102 of the Seasiders' total of 177. The next highest score was just 19 by Anthony Turner.

Reon King was the bowler who caused Tynemouth most of their problems and the West Indian claimed six wickets for 60 runs.

Durham Academy are still 20 points adrift of South North. Geoff Cook's youngsters overwhelmed Philadelphia at Riverside where they had 163 runs to spare collecting the maximum 30 points.

Nicky Phillips, playing his first game of the season for Phili, claimed an early wicket but when fielders failed to hold their catches, the Academy romped to 268-3 before the declaration was made after just 60 overs.

David Barnes struck eight fours in 72 and Ben Harmison added 31.

But the star once again was Kyle Coetzer, who recorded a couple of sixes and 12 boundaries carrying his bat for 120.

The visitors were never in the hunt when they replied and the innings collapsed to just 126 all out from 45.3 overs. Noneeb Iqbal sent down 16 overs, taking 4-42, and Gary Scott proved equally effective with his spinners capturing four wickets for a modest 22 runs in 11.3 overs.

Another spinner, Neil McGarrell, bowled Blaydon to victory over Chester-le-Street. The West Indian has impressed since his arrival and a 5-21 return was testimony to his skills.

Following a promising start to their reply, when Daniel Shurben made 36 and Quentin Hughes 35, the innings laboured to 136 all out following the introduction of McGarrell into the attack. That Blaydon ended on 219 was eventually down to Stewart Forster, who went in at number eight.

Until then, the home side struggled, but Forster struck 80 propelling the total unexpectedly to 219 all out. Earlier, Durham's Graeme Onions added a valuable 21 when wickets were falling around him, particularly to Ian Jones, who claimed five victims at a cost of 54 runs.

The first three Sunderland batsmen, Andrew Pratt, captain Simon Old and Lee Rushworth all took at least 60 runs off the Gateshead Fell attack at Ashbrooke.

Old's 63 included no fewer than 15 boundaries, Pratt stroked a six and 12 fours adding 66 and Rushworth made 60 which together with 30 plus scores from Craig Burdon and Franklin Rose enabled Sunderland to post the highest score of the day, 274-5 made from 60 overs. In contrast, Gateshead Fell struggled through 33.3 overs making only 112. Rose took 4-54 from 12 overs and Andy Ferguson conceded just 12 runs in nine overs for three wickets.

Last season's champions Benwell Hill are now fifth-from-bottom after losing to neighbours Newcastle by seven wickets. Philip Mustard (63) top-performed in the Hill total of 169 before Wayne Ritzema batted throughout Newcastle's reply contributing an unbeaten 80. Two former Durham City players, Tim Stonach (37) and Joel Hughes (32 not out) gave support.