New skipper Dave Meacher has taken Fletching back to basics and they are already reaping the rewards.

Meacher has replaced Grant Horscroft, who remains fundamental to Fletching's cause.

In only his second game at the helm, the 2002 champions recorded their first win of the season at home to Newick.

Meacher, who was first offered the job last winter, said: "We just wanted a slight change in the way we were working so this is why Grant and I have done this.

"You could see from the table we weren't winning games and we felt a change would reignite the season.

"We decided to go back to basics. I wanted to make our batsmen hard to get out and our bowlers to bowl a better line and look for consistency rather than taking wickets with a wonder ball.

"I felt we started that the previous week against Herstmonceux."

Fletching made 219-7 against Newick with contributions from Grant Horscroft (43), Meacher (39), Mark Horscroft (32), Jamie Russell (32) and Andy Horscroft (26). Grant Horscroft then took 5-32 as Newick were skittled for 78.

Fletching have moved out of the bottom two ahead of this weekend's action, when they face leaders Seaford on Saturday and bottom side St Peters in a rearranged game on Sunday.

Meacher said: "We can beat anybody on our day and at the moment we are very confident. We are playing Seaford at home and there is no reason why we can't beat them."

Seaford continued their highly impressive season with a two-wicket win at home to Crowhurst Park.

Opener Martin Barry struck 84 for Park but they could only muster 169 all out as Arthur Jennings (6-54) caused problems.

The game was in the balance throughout the reply but Seaford reached their target with eight wickets down, Ed Senneck scoring 42 as Victor Walcott took 3-45.

Seaford skipper Ed Jennings said: "This is a massive result for us. We knew forcing a win was going to be tough but once again we have shown our mettle."

Dominic Shepheard struck 115, adding 164 for the second wicket with Darren Howard (50), as second-placed Glynde set 237-8 at home to Iden.

In reply, Dave White hammered 123, including 15 fours and six sixes, and Chris Curd added 46 but Iden were dismissed for 205 with Shepheard taking 5-68 and Dale Tranter 4-39.

There were two big centuries as Herstmonceux and Heathfield Park shared a draw. Scott Pearce, dropped on nought, smacked 132 against his former club as Herstmonceux made 261-6, adding 125 for the second wicket with Andrew Standen (41).

In reply, visiting skipper Ian Cox smote the ball to all parts of the ground in a knock of 141, which included 23 fours. Chris Hart added 34 as Heathfield reached 223-6, with Dale Mayhew taking 5-91 for the hosts.

Graham Pitts claimed 4-16 as Ringmer dismissed St Peters for 64, enabling his side to secure a seven-wicket win.

In division two, Aussie paceman Burt Cockley took a remarkable 9-26 as promotion chasing Battle claimed an emphatic win.

The bowler from New South Wales was in devastating form as Rottingdean were dismissed for 88. His haul came from 12.2 overs and eight of his victims were clean bowled.

Battle made hard work of the reply, losing seven wickets before edging home. Keith Ridgway top scored with 21 as Mike Steer took 5-42.

Leaders Hellingly defeated previously unbeaten Chiddingly by five wickets. Andy Samuels hit 66 for Chiddingly but they were bowled out for 192 with Dave Windless taking 4-31, Bob Pye 3-31 and Dave Pye 3-59.

Remarkably all ten wickets were catches.

Skipper James Wise (83) and Ian Rippengal (49) put on 128 for the first wicket to lead the victory charge.

Ditchling remained second despite having to settle for a draw with Crowborough. Jim Nolan hit 63 as Ditchling set 262-6, then Dave Clark struck 50 not out in a reply of 152-6.

Bottom side Uckfield won by one run against Barcombe, who were dismissed for 148 chasing the hosts' 149 all out. For Barcombe, Keith Savage hit 56 and Joe Wheatley took 5-62 while Gareth Hayes claimed 5-45 for the hosts.

Tunbridge Wells Borderers edged to a one wicket at 104-9 against Willingdon, for whom Duncan Ford took 4-42.