Hastings have returned to the top of the Shepherd Neame Sussex premier league and lead by 22 points.

And they still have three games to play after beating rivals Three Bridges.

Horsham maintained their challenge with a 50-run victory at home to Worthing and are 12 points behind Three Bridges.

Andy Cornford was man-of-the-match for Hastings in their four-wicket win against Three Bridges. He took 3-43 as the opposition were dismissed for 158 and then struck 71 not out to steer Hastings home at 160-6.

Sussex player Will House hit 42 in Horsham's score of 230 against Worthing. Chris Nash hit 49 against the bowling of Jamie Forbes (5-59).

House then took 5-34 and Mark Nash grabbed 4-40 as Worthing were dismissed for 180. Dominic Clapp made 48, Ian Burstow 35 not out and Andy Lutwyche 30.

Sussex fast bowler James Kirtley turned out for Eastbourne just 24 hours after hearing about his selection for England in the ICC Trophy.

He returned figures of 5-46 to send Steyning tumbling to 117 all out, despite the efforts of Jamie Carpenter, who cracked 65 not out in 99 balls. Eastbourne cruised to victory at 121-1 as Riaan Walter hit 61 not out and Alec Simcox made 39.

Sussex opener Richard Montgomerie hit 91 not out as St James beat Haywards Heath by five wickets.

Victory takes St James out of the bottom two but probably condemns Haywards Heath to relegation.

Heath struggled to 181-7 declared with Jason Krezja and Danny Hall each making 36, Stuart Faith 32 and Charlie Dowdall 26 not out. St James then tumbled to 56-5 but Montgomerie steered them home, helped by Mark Johnson (63 not out).

Mike Hogue took 3-55 and Paul Havell 2-35.

Chichester beat Brighton and Hove by one run with a run out from the penultimate delivery.

Kim Wulff hit 59, Graham Bennison 36 not out and Darren Hart 32 in a Chichester total of 232-7 declared.

Skipper Andy Sartor was top scorer for Brighton with 70 and tailender Richard Spink added to the excitement with 46 not out but the off-spin of Chichester captain Nick Dyer (7-63) turned the game, although they still needed that late run out to win.

Second Division leaders East Grinstead overcame bottom club Sidley by 103 runs. Neil Turk hit 69 and Steve Greig 43 in their total of 247-9 declared as Chris Deeprose took 3-40 and Guy Montgomery 3-45.

Alex Edwards (3-34) and Charlie Muggleton (4-27) helped dismiss Sidley for 144 as Peter King scored 30.

Second-placed Stirlands suffered a four-wicket defeat at Roffey. The visitors made 181-8 declared with Barry Meaney making 62 and David Briance 43 while Rob Nevins claimed 4-46 and Umer De Alvis 3- 72. Neil Carman (47) and Graeme West (38) led Roffey home.