East Sussex League: Newick claimed their first win of the season and then admitted they still have hopes of claiming the title.

A first success in six games lifted Newick out of the bottom two in an amazingly tight top division.

Following leaders Crowhurst Park's shock defeat against Herstmonceux, just 46 points split top from bottom while only 31 points cover nine of the ten sides.

Vice-captain Sam Carter led Newick to a four-wicket win at Seaford with a defensive 71 not out and then revealed the club's ambitions.

Carter said: "The division is so tight. On our day we are capable of beating anybody. We thrashed Fletching at the end of last season when they had not lost a game and ended up as league winners. It is just a case of getting consistency into our game.

"We have the ambition to win the league in the next couple of years but we haven't had the best start to the season.

"We are an ambitious club which is why we have started a third XI this year and we want to win the league sooner rather than later."

John Reynolds hit 52 for Seaford and Richard Beard 39 but they were dismissed for 158 as Rupert Thacker bowled unchanged to claim 4-60 while Greg Bell also caused problems with a lively spell. Wickets tumbled in reply but Carter held to nerve to usher Newick to victory.

Despite the defeat, Seaford skipper Clive Chipper is happy with his side's start to the season.

Chipper said: "Our first four games were against Glynde, Ringmer, Crowhurst Park and Fletching and you would expect the eventual winners to come from those four. We then beat DPB so we were happy with our start.

"It is so tight from top to bottom. A couple of wins or losses can shoot you up and knock you down. We have a lot of youngsters in our side and hopefully they can get better."