STOCKTON crashed to 67 all out in 23 overs and are now only 11 points better off than Norton at the bottom of the table.

It was the combination of West Indian Franklyn Rose and Adam Applegarth which brought about Stockton's unseemly demise.

Rose claimed five for 34 runs in 12 overs while Applegarth was even more economical, his 11 overs costing 23 runs as he wrapped up the other five wickets.

Sunderland earlier enjoyed the luxury of a declaration after 60 overs with a healthy 238-6 on the board. The runs flowed from skipper Simon Old (60), John Atkinson (67), Michael Roseberry with 53 and Stuart Pattison (35).

It looks like being a long hard second half of the season for Norton. They have managed two wins - one more than Stockton - but prop up the table.

Their latest defeat came against Gateshead Fell who had four wickets in hand overtaking a target of 175.

Marcus North (36), Phil Bell (39) and John Devenport, with an unbeaten 39, led Fell to victory after North had taken five wicket for 40 runs and spinner Chris Beever 3-27 helping to bowl out Norton for 174.

An unbeaten century by Jim Allenby was the feature of Philadelphia's seven-wicket victory at Tynemouth. The visitors were left with 49 overs after rain interrupted the game but they needed only 41.3 as Allenby produced another innings of the highest calibre.

He shared a third-wicket stand of 96 with Freddie Napier (38) after the visitors had lost their first two wickets for 27.

When Tynemouth batted first, their innings was cut short by seven overs and following 58 overs, they were 197-7. Barry Stewart was their saviour with 73 not out and he figured in a fifth-wicket partnership of 61 with Russell Perry (39).

Gavin Swan and Ian Potter both bowled 18 overs and proved economical, the former conceding just 38 runs and Potter 34.

Benwell Hill maintained their strong title challenge but saw their lead over South Northumberland reduced because their rivals claimed more points defeating Durham Academy.

The Hill had Newcastle all out for 97 as David Rutherford and Lee Jackson claimed three wickets apiece. The task was quickly completed by Simon Birtwisle with an unbeaten 41.

Chris Hewison's century and 61 from John Graham propelled South Northumberland to 255-6, a total way beyond the reach of Durham Academy who managed 125 including 54 by David Barnes. Dewalt Pretorus, with 4-29, was South North's main wicket-taker.

Ian Somerville needed 21 runs against Chester-le-Street to complete 20,000 for Blaydon and he managed with just one run to spare. Phil Underwood, Geoff Stewart and captain Mark Drake all made at least 30 to earn Blaydon a draw at 168-8.

Chester-le-Street's innings saw a fine contribution of 87 by Allan Worthy as Blaydon were left to chase a target of 234.