Pagham have responded in magnificent style to criticism from their title rivals .

Arundel wrote off Pagham's chances last week after the teams drew at Waterwoods Plain.

They said Pagham could not win the championship because their bowling attack was not good enough.

Pagham were furious and delivered the perfect response by skittling Clymping for 63. They romped home by eight wickets and are just 19 points behind Arundel.

The gap could be closer this weekend because Arundel are without a game and Pagham are at Burgess Hill.

Skipper Craig Primmer said: "I wasn't happy with what Arundel said. The boys were really fired up as a result. We have pinned copies of the article on the dressing room wall and behind the bar.

"All I'd say is form is temporary but class is permanent. I think it was a case of sour grapes because they needed the points and we denied them.

"My lads responded with a comprehensive victory. I couldn't have asked for more and they were really revved up."

Clymping batted first and were all out for 63. Graham Blann top scored with 43. Primmer took 4-17 and Steven Vaughan 4-7.

Pagham knocked off the runs for the loss of two wickets. Phil Harris made 35 and Chris Hayden an unbeaten 15.

Clymping captain Benn Challen was despondent because the result effectively ended their title aspirations.

He said: "I can't make any excuses, there were no plus points and we were well beaten. I just hope to get Michael Blackall and Karl Pierce back soon."

Arundel won by two wickets at Southwick to keep up the pressure on leaders Findon.

Southwick were all out for 111 as Neil Chitty took 4-39 and Stuart Apps conceded just 26 runs from his 16 overs.

In reply, Arundel made 112-8 thanks to a knock of 54 from Steve Mullen. Southwick's Steve Martin took 4-37.

Chitty maintains he is right about the destiny of the title.

He said: "The result keeps us in the hunt but Findon are too far ahead to feel any pressure from us. Findon are very strong, they play well as a team and from what I have seen there is no comparison between them and Pagham.

"We are not far behind Findon. We are always looking to strengthen our side and could probably do with two or three more players to add competition for places."

Champions Findon continue to mount an impressive defence of their title. They chalked up their sixth consecutive win with a nine-wicket victory over Burgess Hill to go 27 points clear at the top.

Hill were dismissed for 60 as James Iago took 4-16 and Mark Stewart 4-6. Findon eased home for the loss of only one wicket.

Lindfield slumped to a disappointing defeat at home to Ifield.

They batted first and were soon in trouble at 11-3 before Ned Sutton (36) helped the score to 122-6.

In reply, Graham Dean scored 49 to help Ifield to 124-5 and a five-wicket win.

Lindfield's Graham Page said: "It was a bad toss to loss but Ifield bowled a lot straighter than us and we gave them too many free shots.

"It was a bad result but as long as we finish above the relegation places then we'll be content."

Broadwater stay top of division two after another impressive bowling performance.

With second-placed Crawley not in action, Broadwater extended their advantage to 38 points.

Keymer won the toss and were soon in trouble after losing their first wicket in only the third over.

Tight bowling by the opening pair of Paul Martin and Kevin Johnson restricted Keymer to only 45 from their first 20 overs.

Keymer then collapsed against the swing bowling of Joe Middleton and Joe Owen, who polished off the last six batsmen while conceding only eight runs.

Middleton finished with four wickets for the third time this season as the home side were dismissed for 88.

Broadwater made a stuttering start to their reply when openers, Ben McKenzie and Bob Reynolds, fell in the space of four balls with only 19 on the scoreboard.

Richard Iago and Mark Sinsbury added 30 runs before Neal Jones combined with Sinsbury to steer the visitors to 92-4 and a six-wicket win. Neil Green, John Grimley and Justin Toussaint also took wickets for Keymer.

Ansty secured their second win of the season at home to depleted Barns Green by five wickets.

Green declared at 148-4 off 53 overs. Martin Hennock made 86 before losing his wicket in the penultimate over. Tight bowling by Ansty made scoring a struggle for Green and Simon Parsons took 2-30.

In reply, Ansty started promisingly through Richard Parsons (36) and a fine unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership of 50 between Stuart Wheeler (35 not out) and Andy Hadfield (25 not out) helped Ansty to a five-wicket win.

Goring beat Petworth Park by 54 runs. They took first use of their home wicket and totalled 214-5, thanks to a third-wicket partnership of 120 between Andy Duke (86) and Peter Cooke (70).

In reply, Park finished on 160-9, with Nigel Scutt making 64.

Jody Healy (88) and Clint Astridge (91 not out) added 163 for Pulborough's second wicket at home to Henfield. Pulborough totalled 206-2 and the visitors were removed for 115.