Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League: Richard Waite was in magnificent form but Stockton just failed to inflict a fourth consecutive defeat on championship hopefuls Sunderland.

Waite's outstanding contribution of 135 together with half-centuries from Guy Darwin and Scott Gillespie enabled Stockton to declare with the huge total of 315 for five on the board.

The Stockton attack made early inroads into the visitors' innings but were held up by Simon Brown (57) and Chris Robson with 63.

Their mid-innings partnership proved to be decisive but in the end Ronnie Boyd and Andrew Ferguson were required to bat out time for Sunderland, who were nearly 100 runs short of the target with their last pair at the wicket.

A fortnight ago South Northumberland were well on course to clinch a third consecutive championship before being bowled out for just 90 and, they fared even worse on Saturday when they managed just 87 at Benwell Hill.

Callum Thorp was the destroyer of their innings claiming seven wickets for just 53 runs in 14 overs. Martin Pollard assisted with three for 34 and only three South North players managed double figures.

Benwell Hill got home losing just one wicket in 16 overs. Taufeeq Umar struck an unbeaten 53 and Graeme Race contributed an undefeated 36.

South North though have luck on their side. Sunderland have lost three and drawn one of their last four games and Gateshead Fell, who were also in a strong challenging position, again failed to win when they were comfortably held by Tynemouth.

Ben Young and Allan Worthy both made half centuries to lay the foundations for the useful total of 271 for two. The runs also flowed from Ian Pattison with 83 not out and Kyle Coetzer, who ended unbeaten on 56.

Tynemouth were rarely troubled and were 211 for the loss of just four wickets at close of play. Graeme Hallam (48) steadied the early innings before Barry Stewart with an unbeaten 32 and Ben Debnam (59 not out) formed an undefeated fifth wicket partnership.

Chester-le-Street are up to second position following victory over Newcastle at Ropery Lane. John Coxon (83) and Durham County's Graeme Bridge (75 not out) were prominent in the home side's innings, which ended on 225 for five.

Matthew Hynd (30) and Jason Bennett with 73 gave the Tynesiders a useful start until Glen Read and Alex Brown tidied up.

Philadelphia threw themselves a lifeline as they bid to avoid the wooden spoon when they gave their best batting performance of the season against Blaydon.

Paul Riddle played some delightful shots in his 35 and Berwick Hall ended unbeaten on 36 but it was Stuart Walker who took the eye with a controlled innings which earned him a century.

Captain Jeff Laws enjoyed the luxury of making a declaration at 243 for six before Blaydon ended on 214 for seven. Phili made two early break-throughs but, Paul Underwood with 78 and Neil McGarrell (47) retrieved the position and 38 from Nick Hillman enabled Blaydon to end comfortably.

Norton overtook the Durham Academy total of 199 all out with half their wickets remaining. Nicky Beall (35) and Chris Fawcett with 47 put their side in with a chance but it was the unbroken partnership for the sixth wicket which secured victory.

Captain Craig Symington ended unbeaten on 55 and former skipper Kenny Gresham added a valuable 33 not out. Stephen Gale (31) and Mohamed with 53 were top performers in the Academy innings as Sumit Puri and Peter Armstrong shared six wickets.