A mopping up effort by their players maintained Herstmonceux's bid to return to division one of the East Sussex League at the first attempt.

Thirty minutes before their match with Rottingdean was due to start, the Herstmonceux square was flooded. But, armed with brooms and forks, the players got to work and managed to ensure a 3.30pm start on the artificial pitch.

It proved worthwhile as Herstmonceux won by 35 runs with four balls to spare to move 62 points clear of third placed Hellingly.

The home side were in trouble at 58-6 but Andy Holt rallied the innings before being run out for 34 as the innings closed on 123 (Lawes 3-20, Henry Ledden 3-28).

When Rottingdean batted Alan Smith (3-37) and Dale Mayhew (3-23) forced wickets to fall at regular intervals before Greg Watson was brought on and ended up with fine figures of 4-9 off only 4.2 overs to wrap up the innings at 88.

Seaford also moved clear of Hellingly, whose match with Rye was abandoned. Seaford took maximum points from an eight-wicket success against Barcombe.

After a delayed start, Barcombe slumped to 20-4 but Danny Alderman, who normally plays for Three Bridges in the Sussex League, came in to hammer 48, including eight fours and two sixes.

When he departed the rest of the innings fell away and Barcombe were all out for 91 with John Smith taking 5-28 off 14 overs.

Seaford took 44 overs to knock off the runs. Karl Wootten hit 25 but it was fellow opener Arthur Jennings who faced 125 balls to steer his side to victory with an undefeated 22. Jamie Goddard chipped in with an unbeaten 25 while Alderman took 2-11.

Neil Cloute was the only centurion in the league, hitting 102 as Iden made 224-4 at home to Battle. Phil Shanks hit 69 not out.

Battle batted out a draw in reply, closing on 152-8 (Graham Tree 4-37, Tom Chaplin 62, Jeremy Reid 42).

Division three: Pett 164 (John Osborn 34, Gary Osborn 32) drew with Glynde II 162-9 (Bob Marshall 34, Andy Goodsell 6-52).

Division Four: Crowhurst Park II 144 (Nick Stevenson 46, Roger Linn 4-11) lost to Ditchling II 216 (Kevin Grant 52, Ben Sippy 39, Gordon Pells 4-34); Battle II 171-7 (Stuart Reeves 72 no) lost to Willingdon 177-1 (Danny Lindop 90, Tim Godby 75 no); Robertsbridge 196-4 (Richard Hawthorne 98 no, Nick Moor 52) beat Little Common Ramblers 105 (Stuart Miller 5-18). All others abandoned.