Three teams can still be crowned champions as one of the most exciting title races for years reaches its climax.

Just six points separate the leading three sides with one match to play.

Chiddingly are the new leaders after Ringmer's surprise defeat at home to Rye.

Graham Tree (46) and John Lovell (43) put on 72 for the sixth wicket as Rye recovered from 68-5 to post 175 all out, with Murray Barnett and Graham Pitts taking three wickets apiece for Ringmer.

A disastrous reply saw Ringmer slump to 45-9 after 26 overs with Raj Ghosh claiming 6-36, including five victims clean bowled. Last pair Pitts (38) and Gary Holder (14 not out) put on 63 before the home side were dismissed for 108.

That enabled Chiddingly to take over at the top following their six wicket win at home to Newick. Skipper Tom Carr (4-28 off 17 overs) and Simon Baillie-Hamilton (4-48) combined to dismiss Newick for 154 and the target posed few problems as John Grieveson (77 not out) and Darren Howard (30) guided the hosts to victory.

Next to bottom St Peters rattled up 201-8 with Malcolm Eldridge scoring 66. In reply, Ditchling were cruising at 155-2, with Ollie Burns scoring 57, but they then collapsed to 195 all out with 15-year-old Harry Birmingham taking 6-43 and skipper Glenn Potter 3-60.

The Boards are the other team in the title shake-up. They recovered from 10-2 to amass 224-6 at Fletching thanks largely to a third wicket stand of 192 between skipper Terry Penfold (108) and James Wise (91). Grant Horscroft took 4-52 for Fletching but his side slumped to 81 all out in reply with James Bentley picking up 8-47.

Second from bottom St Peters rattled up 201-8 with Malcolm Eldridge scoring 66. In reply, Ditchling were cruising at 155-2, with Ollie Burns scoring 57, but they then collapsed to 195 all out with 15-year-old Harry Birmingham taking 6-43 and skipper Glenn Potter 3-60.

Seaford were relegated following defeat at home to Herstmonceux, who gave themselves a lifeline in the process. Clive Chipper top-scored with 86 as Seaford made 182-8, but the visitors won by six wickets thanks mainly to Martin Menezes (58) and Mike Pannett (50 not out).

Division two champions Crowhurst Park won by 22 runs against second placed Wadhurst.

Paul Lindfield top-scored with 47 as Crowhurst made 172 all out. In reply, Wadhurst slumped to 95-7 and were eventually dismissed for 150 with Victor Walcott (5-39) and Michael Legg (3-24) doing the damage.

Third placed Iden lost at Lewes St Michael's. The hosts were dismissed for 88 with Chris Curd taking 4-23. Michael White hit 44 in reply but Iden were bowled out for 72 with Dave Wilcock claiming 5-30.

Glynde moved into third spot after beating Barcombe and they are the only team who could now catch Wadhurst. Andrew Page took 4-28 as Barcombe were bowled out for 105 and Glynde reached their target with four wickets in hand thanks to Mark Largue (27) and Stuart Mouland (26 not out).

Tunbridge Wells Borderers were relegated after losing to Heathfield Park. Heathfield made 166-9 with Bob Davies hitting 52 and Ian Cox chipping in with 37. In reply, Borderers were dismissed for 158 with Simon Briggs taking 4-38 and Roger Tivey 4-53.

The other relegated side, Polegate and Stone Cross, lost by six wickets at Battle.

Polegate were bowled out for 104 with wickets shared between Peter Maynard (4-28), Oliver West (3-10) and Adrian West (3-47). Oliver West then hit 42 as Battle eased to victory with six wickets in hand.

Division three: Buxted Park 96-5 beat Uckfield Anderida 95 (Martin Coleman 7-31); Little Common 192-7 (Steve Finzel 53) lost to Rottingdean 193-5 (Mark Smith 61); Maresfield 216-5 (Trevor Lucas 70, Chris Hart 65no) beat Willingdon 115 (Mark Simmons 53, Tim Godby 41, David Cook 6-13); Newhaven 137 (Steve Cain 8-43) lost to Pett 138-1 (Andrew Goodsell 108no); Rotherfield 134-9 (Vince Woolley 4-52) lost to Hellingly 135-3 (Steve Hook 53).

Division four: East Sussex Ramblers 217-7 (Andy Meredith 87no, Dave Ivins 4-30) drew with Beaulieu 130-9 (Paul Brett 43); Pevensey 210-4 (John Plumley 79, James Wallis 52, Jon Smith 46no) beat Robertsbridge 122 (Rob Adams 4-13, Nick Lewis 4-30).