NE Premier League: Jarvis Clay's stunning, unbeaten century not enough to force victory for Hetton Lyons

Skipper Jarvis Clay led by example for Lyons, hitting 17 boundaries in a 169-ball 135 not out, inspiring his side to a declaration on 279-6 after 56 overs.

Robert Talbot had nine fours and two sixes in a 69-ball 86, putting on 196 for the sixth wicket with Clay. Opener Stuart Walker added 21, with Rory Hanley grabbed 2-57 and Jacques Snyman 2-65.

Benwell Hill had a century of their own, as Snyman managed 16 fours and two sixes in a 114-ball 115.

But the game was always open and Lyons could have forced a win, only for the hosts to hold out for the draw on 259-9 in 54 overs, 21 short of victory.

Adam Heather made 33 in a 92-run second-wicket partnership with Snyman, while Joe Anderson added 28 and Philip Nicholson 19.

Three Lyons bowlers took two wickets apiece: Talbot (2-56), Ben Whitehead (2-54) and Jack Burnham (2-41), with Carl Watson and Cameron Grimwood also striking.

Eppleton remain deep in trouble in second-bottom spot after a four-wicket loss away to Stockton, who eased any relegation fears by securing their fifth win of the season.

Eppleton lost the toss and were put in. The decision looked the right one when they fell from 33-1 to 37-4. Gary Burlinson’s defiant 41 off 70 balls, with three fours, provided a backbone to the innings, but they were still dismissed for 115 in 37.5 overs.

Only Luke Henderson (13), Marcus Brown (12) and Dean Musther (16) also reached double figures as the Stockton bowlers held sway.

Haidar Shafiq ended up with 4-24 in 12 overs, while Josh Sowerby bagged 3-29.

Eppleton looked to have a chance of victory when the Teessiders were reduced to 32-4, as four wickets fell for six runs, then 42-5.

But the target was never likely to be too troublesome and Joe Hewison’s 80-ball 60 not out inspired Stockton’s success, which came after 38 overs, helped by Hassan Raza (21).

Craig Scurr did this best for Eppleton, taking 3-23, while Chris Naylor took 2-20 and Dean Musther 1-16.

Whitburn slipped a place to fourth after being on the end of a ‘losing draw’ at home to Felling.

Ex-Durham star Phil Mustard fired eight fours in an 87-ball 54 as Felling posted a daunting total of 255-9 declared in 54.1 overs.

Dale Shaw added 49 off 78, with six boundaries, and Graham Wright had five fours and four sixes in a 39-ball 50, with Joe Carroll making 22 and Paul Leonard 29.

Chris Stewart took the bowling honours for Whitburn, finishing with 4-56, while Craig Smith took 2-56 and Kieran Waterson 2-49.

Opener Jackson Edmonstone led the way with a 127-ball knock of 80 for the Villagers in their reply, with 13 fours and a six.

But they never threatened to push for a win, and they closed well shy of their target on 183-6 after 55 overs. Mark Elliott hit five fours in 23, with Ross Carty adding 18, with four fours, Paul Shields 15no and Craig Smith 14no.

Anthony Trotter stood out with 4-34 for Felling.

Chester-le-Street consolidated second place with a three-wicket defeat of Newcastle at Jesmond.

Oener Steven Allen hit nine fours and a six in a 169-ball 86 for Newcastle, who rallied from 27-5 to make 210-8 in 58 overs, backed by Jacques Du Toit’s 69 off 74 balls, with 11 fours and a six, and Callum Harding (36 off 42 balls, with four fours).

Jack Campbell led Chester’s attack with 4-41 in 11 overs, whole Quentin Hughes took 2-28 and Andrew Bell 2-37.

Chester put on 120 for the first wicket in their reply, thanks to Kyle Davis (76 off 72 balls, with 13 fours and a six) and George Harrison (41 off 78, with five fours and a six).

They slipped to 155-5, but Hughes (21), Liam Simpson (26) and John Harrison (17no) saw them to victory in the 47th over.

Oliver McGee grabbed 3-69, while Harding took 2-31.

Durham Academy made table-toppers South Northumberland fight for their three-wicket victory.

The Durham youngsters were 40-4 before rallying to make 197 all out in 53.2 overs.

Harry Adair starred with 82 off 93 balls, with seven fours and two sixes, backed by Adam Ahmed (43, with two fours and two sixes), Daniel Cooke (20) and Ross Greenwell (16).

Michael Craigs picked up 4-36 for South North, with Lee Crozier taking 2-28.

Simon Birtwisle (40, with eight fours), John Graham (44, with six fours) and Adam Cragg (55 off 50 balls, with eight fours and two sixes) then guided South North to victory in the 46th over, for the loss of seven wickets.

Faizan Hussain took 4-37 for the Academy attack, supported by Matthew Oswell (3-32).

Sacriston stayed bottom after a 68-run defeat away to Tynemouth.

The hosts did not find it all their own way as they declared on 176-9 after 50.2 overs, led by Barry Stewart’s 49 off 83 balls, with seven fours.

Mark Watt weighed in with six fours in 36 and Ben Debnam fired six fours in 32, Melvyn Betts had a fine day with the ball, taking 3-22 in 15 overs, backed by Reece Carr (3-3).

Two ducks from the top three had Sacriston up against it at 1-2 early on in their reply. James Thompson (29 off 77 balls) and Jonny Bushnell (39 off 73, with five fours) added 68 for the third wicket. But the remaining seven wickets fell for just 40 more runs, Lewis Straughair adding 13, as Tynemouth clinched their sixth win.

Wesley Bedja bagged 4-25, with Watt taking 3-20 and Martin Pollard 2-21.