South Northumberland extend lead

South Northumberland's domination of the Northern Rock North East Premier League was consolidated when a comprehensive win over Tynemouth extended their lead to 13 points.

The league leaders were without all-rounder Stephen Humble but were able to welcome back professional Brendon Ford as they travelled down the coast road to Tynemouth.

Batting first, the Bulls saw openers Adam Heather and John Graham in fine form. Heather finally went from 53 before Graham went on 106.

The innings was declared at 230 for four which proved way too much for Tynemouth when Ford ripped through their top order to finish with 6-44 as the home side crumbled to 109 all out.

South Northumberland are now 13 points ahead of Chester-le-Street with South Shields in third place. All the top three sides recorded impressive wins, though the closest finish was at Denefield, where Blaydon scored 202 for seven with contributions from Graeme Bridge (61) and Mark Drake (54).

Benwell Hill's reply got off to a bad start as Rob Frylinck was dismissed for a duck before Ali Maiden (45) and Uzi Mohammed (76) brought the Denton Bank club to within sight of victory.

However Blaydon off-spinner Jon Malkin (4-46) accounted for the middle order before Allan Worthy cleaned up the tail with 4-9, including the last two wickets lbw, to give Blaydon a win by just three runs.

South Shields racked up an impressive 284 for seven at home to Gateshead Fell, with half-centuries from Dan Shurben (57) and Geoff Cullen (81).

Shields' Jon Wightman then claimed five wickets as the Fell closed 55 runs short, despite 69 from Ben Young.

Newcastle's fortunes may be on the turn as they were the day's top-scorers with 312 for six against Norton at Jesmond. Newcastle had lost their first eight matches to be rooted to the bottom of the table.

However Mark Stoneman and Rob Farenheim both notched half-centuries to buid a formidable total. Norton's response faltered early on, but Ken Gresham, with an unbeaten 50, saw the Teessiders hang on for the draw with two wickets in hand.

There was also stalemate at Stockton, where the home side were able to declare with 253 on the board. Guy Darwin (64) and Richard Waite (77) were the mainstays of the innings, with only four wickets lost.

Sunderland never really threatened the target, losing wickets at regular intervals, but time ran out at 145 for seven and the spoils were shared.

Chester-le-Street are the main challengers to South Northumberland, and they were 90-runs winners over Durham academy.

The Cestrians were all out with 'double nelson' in the book, with Australian Ty Hopes scoring 73 in the middle order. Hopes then took 4-26 with his leg-spin in the scademy reply to dismiss them for 132. Liam Simpson picked up 3-36.