HARD working Stockton got an unexpected lift out of the bottom two as fellow strugglers Gateshead Fell and South Shields suffered further agony.

The Teessiders produced one of their best batting displays to achieve crucial draw points at Hetton Lyons to move them back above Shields who had beaten them the previous weekend. There was no hangover following this unfortunate reverse, and although they conceded over 300 runs, with Shaun Birbeck smashing another outstanding century for Hetton, they battled back with 254 and only gave up the chase when their tail-enders felt the task was just one step too far.

The Lyons took 60 overs to reach their challenging total of 304-5 with Birbeck, who made 105, sharing an opening stand of 77 with Paul Riddle (31). Gary Scott also exploited the friendly wicket with a hard hit 67 before debutant Kamran Hussain added a further 34 runs.

Stockton’s reply started with an opening partnership of 91 between Jonathan Rickard (55) and Kevin Ward (38), and there was further inspiration as Matthew Brown top scored with 63 and both David Seymour (34) and Jimmy Ward (29) played a part. Hetton’s Ryan Pringle bowled superbly for 14 overs with four maidens, taking three wickets at a cost of just 42 runs, to keep the visitors in check.

South Shields fell victim to the power of the leaders Chester-le-Street who now have a 29 point advantage in their bid to retain the championship.

The Cestrians had two century makers to thank for their near perfect afternoon at Shields where they were able to declare on 314-5 before bowling out their hosts for just 107.

Andrew Smith with 113 and John Coxon, who made an unbeaten 101, were great to watch although the seven bowlers who tried to stop the flow of runs wouldn’t necessarily agree. Only Phil Bell, who made 59, was able to defy the strong Chester attack in which Ian Hunter (3-14) and Andrew Bell (4-40) were outstanding.

Gateshead Fell’s poor form is becoming a real worry and their latest reverse came at Sunderland where they were thrashed by six wickets.

The Fell had three batsmen making good starts, but each failed to go on to make the substantial innings they needed and they were bowled out for 208.

Richie Steele (41), Matthew Milton (49) and Arsalan Rahim (40) all looked capable of being the catalyst for a successful day, but Chris Hooker (5-76) and Ashley Thorpe (3- 38) turned the screw to end their hopes. The home side wrapped up their impressive win thanks to Danny Shurben (63) and Michael Turns (61), who starred in a second wicket partnership.

Durham Academy gave South North a major scare on their home patch, falling just seven runs short of victory.

The Bulls made 205-9 with 46 from opener Adam Heather and 57 at a run-a-ball from Stephen Humble, down the order – a crucial late contribution to rescue his team from 120-5.

The Academy were looking at victory after Sameet Brar made 59, but they lost their last three wickets for just two runs – two of them to run outs – and they were beaten from the last ball of the 60th over.

Newcastle were beaten for the first time and it kept their conquerors Blaydon in second place as championship contenders.

This Tyneside derby saw half centuries from Paul Freary and Chris Varley for Blaydon (243-8 declared) and three wickets apiece for their bowling trio of Martin Pollard, Joe Reynolds and Varley as Newcastle (102 all out) slumped to the lowest score of the day.