Former Sussex player Mark Newell captained his new-look Three Bridges to a four-wicket victory over East Grinstead to get their premier division campaign underway.

Only four premier division games were completed as the weather hit for a second week.

But Newell, who made three first class centuries during his time with Sussex in the Nineties, saw his side move into second place behind early leaders Steyning in his first league action since returning to the club.

Newell said: "I am very pleased to be back at the club. It was good to win our first game. Grinstead can be a tough side to beat but we batted and bowled well."

With a number of changes to the team during the winter, Newell is optimistic Bridges can be a force.

He said: "I was sorry we lost youngsters Conrad Mumby and Jibran Khan to Steyning but we have brought in some good players.

"James Pyemont is back with us, I have rejoined the club myself and we have replaced Conrad's leg spin with a left-arm spinner, Spencer Stephens, from the Surrey Championship."

Playing to the 100-over format used in the second division, Grinstead made 137-9 from 53 overs as Paul Turk (52) top scored. Bridges' Adrian Chappell took 3-14 and Danny Biden 3-30.

Newell hit 36 not out and former Oxford Blue Pyemont 43 as Bridges made 138-6 in reply (Duncan Shoebridge 3-40).

Steyning head the table following a convincing five-wicket win against premier newcomers Lewes Priory.

Visitors Priory were dismissed for 151 as Mo Amin took 4-38 on his debut, Andy Ridley 3-31 and new skipper Jeremy Green 3-19. Green hit 43 not out and Darren Schmitt 47 as Steyning overhauled the target in 33.2 overs.

In the highest scoring game of the day, Horsham beat hosts Brighton and Hove by four wickets with 21-year-old Mike Burroughs playing a starring role on his elevation to the Sussex League.

Brighton posted 235-5 declared after a fifth-wicket stand of 104 between Andy Cornford (108), in his second spell with the club, and new skipper Patrick Spencer (44 not out). Left-arm paceman Paul Gallagher (2-60) and Cark Hopkinson, who bowled 20 overs unchanged, tied down the batting.

Hopkinson (89) shared an opening stand of 103 with Howard Kasey (31) but a mature innings from former Billingshurst youngster Burroughs (78) steered his side to victory at 238-6 on his Horsham debut. South African paceman Deon Carolus took 3-60.

Burroughs said: "I was playing for Billingshurst in the Invitation League but decided to give it a go at a higher level.

"I was determined to see us home even though five wickets fell at the other end while I was in."

Eastbourne stormed back from a heavy defeat at Brighton last weekend with a six-wicket home victory over St James.

The visitors fell for 106 as Paul Hacker took 4-34, newcomer from Stirlands Sean Heather 3-19 and skipper John Lord 2-32.

Heather (46) top scored while South African Zuben Bnetty, on his debut, took 2-33 and Andy Wellfare 2-12 for Saints.

Chichester's home match against Hastings was called off.

Early division two leaders Cuckfield enjoyed an emphatic ten-wicket triumph over visitors Worthing, who were relegated from the premier last season.

Cuckfield skipper Chris Mole, who kept wicket for Devon in their C&G Trophy win against Leicestershire during the week, controlled the game.

He put Worthing in and saw team-mate Tim Power take 7-18 as the visitors were all out for 92. Mole cracked 54 not out in an unbroken stand of 93 with Stefan Piolet to take his side to victory without losing a wicket.

All other matches were postponed.