Chester-le-Street remain in second place in the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, but lost further ground on leaders South North.

Their match was abandoned, while South North won again.

The Cestrians welcomed Tynemouth to Ropery Lane and the home side batted first scoring 207-9. George Harrison made 32, and Liam Simpson at seven made a crucial 56 not out, despite Mark Watt taking 4-31 and David Hymers claiming 3-36.

However, it was all in vain as the rain came in when Tynemouth were 7-1, from 2.2 overs and the game was abandoned.

Hetton Lyons remain third, as they took on the Durham Cricket Academy who batted first.

They made 224-7, mainly thanks to Ross Greenwell who made 50 and Harry Adair contributed 46, alongside Daniel Cooke who scored 33. Carl Watson was the pick of the bowling, claiming 3-63, while Jack Burnham and Robert Talbot each took two wickets.

In reply, the Lyons struggled to 40-3 with Adam Ahmed, Max Williamson and Faizan Hussain taking two wickets each. However, opener Stuart Walker stood firm scoring 96 not out from 120 balls, which included 13 fours and two sixes, for his side to claim the draw finishing on 147-6.

Two games which affected the bottom of the league, between Eppleton and Benwell Hill, alongside Sacriston and Stockton were abandoned due to the weather.

In the Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League, Shotley Bridge travelled to Newcastle City and failed to win for the third match in a row.

They drew a close game and are now 34 points behind leaders Swalwell, who secured a nine-wicket win at Alnmouth & Lesbury.

City batted first and made a healthy looking 194, with Zohaib Khan top scoring with 62 not out. Tom May with 4-28 was the pick of the bowling, with Kieran Milburn and Jack Rowley claiming two wickets apiece.

Shotley started the run chase positively and opener Greg Patterson scored 43, while Mick Allen contributed well for 78, but wickets fell regularly as the run chase gathered pace. Palav Kumar (4-42) and Ihsan Ul-Haq with (3-38), ensured the draw as the visitors came up short on 174-9.

Lanchester won the toss and decided to bat first at home to Tynedale. Graeme Brinton batted well scoring 51, but wickets fell around him early on. Greg Halliday (70) and Bryan Potts (63) steadied the ship with a 126-run partnership and they ended with a healthy score of 258-7.

Tynedale batted and Callum Barnes struck twice early on, but the rain came and washed out play, with the visitors on 76-2.

In the Readers Durham Cricket League, leaders Easington travelled to bottom club Mainsforth and had an easy win by 94 runs.

They declared on 214-7, as Ryan Higgins made 47, David Tarn 42, Gary Ward 51 and Omar Shahid 54. Mainsforth in reply, made 120 all out, with Shahid claiming 6-28 with the ball and Duvindu Tillakaratne returned 3-26, with Danny Hooper top scoring with 34.

Crook, in second place, journeyed to Marsden and had to settle for as draw.

The home side batted well for 226-9, with Steven Neilson top scoring with 32 and Lee Bays added 30. Daniel Doram with 3-27 and Steven Chapman 3-42 were the pick of the bowling.

Opener Andrew Pratt gave them a solid start making 48, while Andrew Burgess contributed with 38 not out, but they lost wickets regularly and with Neilson claiming 4-54 and Jack Cole 3-20, they had to settle for the draw on 146-8.

Tudhoe travelled to Seaham Park and were well beaten by 95 runs.

The home side took first knock and racked up 205-8 declared, thanks to 53 from Chris Allen and 52 from Neil Young. Michael Coulthard was impressive with the ball claiming 4-5, while Roshan Jayatissa returned 3-46.

The visitors slumped to 110 all out, as Anthony Watson took an excellent 5-27 and only Jamie Kirkbride showed any resistance, with 31 runs to his name.

Horden welcomed Bill Quay and did their relegation fears the world of good, with a narrow two-wicket win. Bill Quay scored 104, thanks to Alan Mustard who made 26, while Scott Birks was the star of the show, taking 4-6, alongside Adam Dixon who took 3-15.

Horden made a positive start with Liam Irving making 44 from 70 balls, putting on 76 for the first wicket with Adam Hall (26). However, they then collapsed to 96-5 as Michael Orridge took 3-25, but managed to scrape home on 105-8.

Evenwood, second in Division Two, travelled to Boldon CA and scored 227-5 declared, as Shahid Khan scored an excellent century (117no), with Luke Bannister adding 42.

Adam Crooks bowled well for the home side claiming 3-45. In reply, CA were 24-1 when the rain washed out play.

Dawdon remain fifth. They welcomed Hylton and the visitors racked up 203-9, with Matty Billyard scoring 53 and Lee Jackson 55, while David Coates took 4-65 and Faizan Hussain returned figures of 3-23.

The home side then could only muster 154, as Faisal Hussain took 3-24 and Steve Merrington returned 3-61. Hussain with the bat scored 43 and Michael Ewart scored 32, but it was not enough.

Peterlee earned a draw for their efforts at Ryhope. The home side scored 175 all out, with Don Blackman scoring 49, while James Kemp took 3-17 and Jack Spaldin claimed 4-31. In return, the visitors scored 158-6, thanks to 65 from Steve Gilbert on his debut, to claim the draw, with David Craig claiming 3-53.