James Stedman claimed five wickets as Chichester thrashed Littlehampton to go 60 points clear at the top of the Sussex premier division.

This was Chichester's eighth outright win in ten starts and they stretched their lead over second-placed Horsham, who had to settle for a draw against Brighton and Hove.

Chichester were in positive mood after electing to bat first at Littlehampton and they reached 254-7 declared with David Leaver scoring 76 not out and Daniel Oliver 57 as spinner Benn Challen took 5-83.

Only Matt Steight and Stuart Stoneham batted for long for the home side, both making 24 as Stedman (5-23) and Craig Primmer (3-30) sent them tumbling to 122 all out to give Chichester victory by a mammoth 132 runs.

It was much tighter for Preston Nomads as they beat Steyning by 24 runs after making 226 all out. Joe Gatting hit 58, Jack Willow 41 and Carl Simon 31 not out as wickets fell to Jeremy Green (4-72) and Neil Mansbridge (3-36).

Nick Colley top scored in reply with 46 but there was some crisp hitting from Rob Wakeford and Andy Ridley, each making 44, before Steyning were eventually all out for 202. Kashif Ibrahim (4-52) and spinner Steve Rigg (3-56) did the damage.

East Grinstead won by six wickets at home to Hastings. The visitors were bowled out for 192, with Jason Finch scoring 56 as Neil Turk claimed 3-39 and Alex Edwards 3-53.

Zimbabwean Neil Fereira then made 91 to lead East Grinstead to victory at 193-4.

Brighton and Hove had two centurions in their ranks at Horsham as they amassed 301-6 from 58 overs.

Skipper Dominic Clapp hit 108 and Tim Jarvis made 100 as the pair shared a second wicket stand of 221. Chris Baker was the most successful Horsham bowler with 3-87.

When Horsham batted they never really threatened their visitors' score and they closed on 200-7, Alan Law making 57. For Brighton, pace bowlersPaul Wilson, Richard Spink and Andy Cornford took two wickets apiece.

There were plenty of runs at Three Bridges but visiting Eastbourne fell behind their required run-rate early on and never looked likely to get a positive result.

Former Sussex men Jerry Heath (70) and Mark Newell (47) shared an opening stand of 107 for Bridges. James Chadburn added 45 and Danny Alderman 25 as they declared on 250-6, Sean Heather picking up 4-57.

Heather then hit 135 but with nine overs left and only two wickets down his team still needed ten runs an over to win.

Heather was one of three victims for Alderman (3-54) but wickets fell quickly at the end as some wild shots came in a vain attempt to get somewhere near their victory target. At stumps, Eastbourne were 222-7, still 29 short of victory.

Cuckfield still lead the race for promotion from division two despite suffering their first defeat of the season at the hands of near neighbours Haywards Heath.

Batting first, Cuckfield were dismissed for 162 having recovered from 16-4. Billy Harris top scored with 55 as Paul Edmunds (4-42) and Stuart Faith (3-20) caused problems.

Nick Patterson took 6-83 as Haywards Heath tumbled to 80-8 before Ben Morris (52) made his maiden league fifty to lead his side to a memorable onewicket win with the help of Nick Gracie Langrick (27 not out).

Bexhill enjoyed a 48-run victory in a low-scoring loca derby at Sidley. John Holland hit 44 as Bexhill made 139 all out, Peter King taking 5-42 and Riswan Ahmed 4-32. Sidley were then dismissed for 91 despite 50 from Riswan.

Simon Bulteel (6-36) and Ian Ellis (4-40) did the damage.

There was another low scoring game as St James's Montefiore won at home to lowly Stirlands after being dismissed for just 154, George Martin making 65 as Saeed Ajmal took 5-25.

Zeuben Bhettay claimed 4-39 and there were three wickets each for Henry Ledden and Kris Johnson as Stirlands then tumbled to 108 all out.

Lewes Priory won by five wickets at home to Roffey after dismissing the visitors for 142.

Rob Nevins made 40 and there were a staggering 47 extras in the Roffey total. Skipper Michael Murray returned the best bowling figures for Lewes with 4-17. Nick Walters led the way with the bat for Lewes with 67 and Murray made 37.

Pulborough had much the better of their home draw with Worthing. Batting first, Pulborough made 175 as skipper Ashley Clark hit 57 and Jodie Healey 40.

Worthing then held on at 134-9 as David Rogers made 39 while Ashley Clarke took 5-47.