West Indies Test star Jimmy Adams was an immediate hit when he made his debut for Blaydon as replacement professional for the injured Nehemiah Perry.

Already in the country as one of the Lashings XI squad, which next month plays at the Riverside, Adams was snapped up just in time for him to play at Gateshead Fell.

The home side must have wished that his registration had been delayed just a little longer! He was quickly introduced into the attack and in 13 overs, six of which were maidens, he ripped the heart out of the Fell batting taking five wickets for a meagre 16 runs. Despite 33 from Philip Bell, the Gateshead side managed just 100 all out in 46 overs.

Ian Somerville was rampant when Blaydon made first use of the wicket. He stroked 23 boundaries in 159 which together with 35 from Adams and 48 from Geoff Stewart, enabled captain Mark Drake to declare at 268-5 from 60 overs.

Norton moved off the bottom of the table with a good win at Newcastle where they posted the healthy total of 249-5. Following an opening 68 by Chris Fawcett the good work was maintained by the Symington brothers. Marc, making a rare appearance because of his commitments with Durham County, was on 43 when he was run out and Craig went on to contribute 63.

Newcastle quickly conceded three wickets to Marc Symington in their reply before Scott Kay (75) and Willie Allen (57 not out) raised their hopes, but when Peter Armstrong returned 4-29 and Jonathan Keen 3-39, the innings closed on 198.

Stockton are now bottom after they lost by 117 runs at Chester-le-Street.

Another Durham County player Ashley Thorpe dominated the Cestrians' innings and he was just two runs short of a century, having hit 13 boundaries when he ran out of partners.

Daniel Shurben maintained his good form with 38 out of a total of 233 compiled in 62 overs. Chris Hooker, with 3-34 in 12 overs and Richard Waite, whose 13 overs earned him figures of 3-58, were the most successful bowlers in the Stockton attack.

The visitors' reply never really got off the ground and stuttered to 116 all out in 40 overs. Allan Worthy picked up five wickets for just 15 runs in seven overs and spinner Quentin Hughes returned 4-33 from his 14 overs, six of which were maidens.

The game of the day between leaders Benwell Hill and South Northumberland finished in a draw. After South North had realised 235-8 declared, the Hill were in no mood to concede victory and at stumps were comfortably placed on 137-5 including 69 not out by Michael Gough. Four of the wickets were taken by Craig Mackellar for 38 runs.

Chris Hewison was again in splendid form for the home side and he had made 96 before being bowled by Shahid Nazir. Martin Speight added 37 and Dewalt Pretorus 36 before Adam Heather called it a day.

Philadelphia have lost just twice all season and when Sunderland won by 16 runs at Bunker Hill, they completed the double. It looked all over for Phili when they were struggling with nine wickets down, replying to a target of 207, but last man Ian Potter not only made the highest score of the innings but with 33 runs, also recorded his career best performance.

Adam Applegarth (5-57) and Stuart Pattison with 4-45 were the matchwinners with the ball for Sunderland and Pattison also starred with the bat contributing 38. Michael Roseberry, the former Middlesex and Durham opener was the visitors' top scorer with 72. Potter and Jim Allenby each took three wickets.

Durham Academy had seven wickets in hand recording their third win of the season, at Tynemouth. Tony Lion led the Seasiders to 211-9 contributing 69 when he opened the innings and for the Academy, Gary Scott claimed 4-73 and Lee Plunkett 3-20.

Phil Mustard (47) and David Barnes (49) gave the Durham reply just the start needed and when Stuart Walker finished unbeaten on 45 and Scott carried his bat for 42, Tynemouth were always struggling to save the game.