Horsham have opened a 29-point lead at the top of the Shepherd Neame Sussex League Premier Division after enjoying their fourth win in five starts at Chichester.

Hastings lie second after winning another run feast at Horntye Park.

Runs werehard to come by at Priory Park where Horsham declared at 221-9 as skipper Scott Stratton made 39 and Andrew Hodd 37.

Chichester skipper Nick Dyer saw his off-spin rewarded with figures of 3-54.

The home side then fell 20 short of victory at 202 all out, despite 81 from Aussie Brett Whittaker and 51 from Daniel Oliver.

The pick of the Horsham bowlers were young paceman Nick Weekes, who took 4-45, and Aussie off-spinner David Hussey, 4-50.

The amazing form of George Campbell continued for Hastings in a 42 run home win against East Grinstead.

He hit 130 and, with 17-year-old John Snashall making 60, Hastings declared at 306-5.

Of the Grinstead bowlers Steve Greig took 2-75 and Paul Turk 2 -86.

Skipper Steve Pollard, another batsman in form, made 78 and Alex Edwards 48 before the visitors were bowled out for 264. Amir Saeed took 4-50 and there were two wickets apiece for Tim van Noort, John Morgan and James Chaplin.

Haywards Heath enjoyed their first win of the season at the expense of previously unbeaten Worthing in another run feast.

Visiting Worthing reached 268 -9 declared after being put in as Ben Cameron struck 92, Dominic Clapp 41 and Andy Lutwyche 34.

There were two wickets apiece for Tim Cruickshank, Danny Hall and Jamie Carpenter, with Carpenter taking 2-5 having been brought on after 60 overs had been bowled !

Sussex professional Carpenter guided his side to victory at 269-9 with 86 not out and he received good support in a hectic run chase from skipper Hugo Southwell (43) and 19-year-old Aussie Tim Cruickshank, who made 46.

There was late excitement in a drawn game at Crowborough where Brighton and Hove almost pulled off an unlikely win.

The home side lost three wickets for two runs, needing five for victory with only six wickets down.

Brighton made 225-9 declared, skipper Ray Bieber leading the way with 58 and Andy Sartor hit a lively 42. Andy Cornford, Shia Khan and Naeem Akhtar all took three wickets for the home side.

In a Crowborough total of 223- 9 Danny Foden was top scorer with 52, Andy Cornford hit 46 and Richard Jackson 44. For Brighton Sartor took 3--54 and Stuart Collier grabbed 3-36.

Three Bridges were held to a draw at home to Eastbourne after being dismissed for 199 in difficult batting conditions.

Tom Mole made 61 and Danny Alderman 30 and Bjorn Kotze took 4 -51 and John Lord 3-59.

In the Eastbourne reply of 170 for 8 John Purdey made 43 and Tim Ambrose 32, Adrian Chappell taking 3-30 and Danny Alderman 2 -19.

Report by Tony Millard
Sports@argus-btn.co.uk