No change in North East

South Northumberland remain 20 points clear at the top of the North East Premier League after the weekend's matches were wiped out by rain though early starts in the First Division meant that some cricket was played.

Norton and Benwell Hill managed to take three wickets when bowling first thereby securing an extra point with all other sides taking the regulation five points for an abandonment.

Norton had Chester le Street wobbling at 16 for three with Jonathan Kean (2-10) and Marc Symington (1-4) running through the top order. It was a similar story at Stockton as Rob Frylinck of Benwell Hill took two wickets and a catch to leave the home side on 27 for three when the rain came.

Newcastle had reached 18 for one at Jesmond against Blaydon, and South Shields 36 for one at home to the Academy in the day's other action.

The First Division matches at Tynemouth versus Gateshead Fell and South Northumberland against Sunderland were abandoned without a ball being bowled, as were all five games in the Second Division.

Second in the league are South Shields with Chester le Street a further point behind. At the bottom, Newcastle have 65 points with Benwell Hill eight points ahead.