Mark Bamford hit a splendid century as leaders Chichester maintained their impressive early season form in the Sussex League.

Bamford's second ton of the summer helped Chi to victory over Three Bridges to open up a 24-point lead over Brighton and Hove.

Their 19-run success also means they now have four wins from four starts, their only other game having been a limited overs win over their nearest rivals when rain intervened four weeks ago.

Batting first, Chichester's total of 248-7 declared owed much to Bamford's knock of 126. Andy Dewhurst added 46 as Nick Creed took 3-74 for the hosts.

It was again Pakistan Test bowler Fazl-e-Akbar who bowled his side to victory. He took 5-59 and James Stedman chipped in with 4-38 as Bridges were dismissed for 229. Danny Alderman made 79 and Aussie newcomer Nick Fitzgerald 59.

Chichester's day was marred slightly when they were deducted three points by the umpires for a slow over rate.

Brighton and Hove kept up the pressure with a convincing 186-run win at Steyning, who they dismissed for just 45, the lowest premiership total of the season and the second lowest ever.

Richard Jackson top scored with 37 as the visitors made 231 all out in the face of good bowling from Steyning skipper Jeremy Green (5-69).

However, Green's rejoicing was shortlived as Steyning with skittled in just 27.3 overs, Richard Spink taking 4-23 and Aussie Paul Wilson 3-16.

Preston Nomads won the game between the two clubs promoted last season as they beat Littlehampton by eight wickets after putting them in to bat.

Gary Tester was top scorer for the hosts who were bowled out for 147 with Leeward Islands paceman Carl Simon taking 5-32 and Kashif Ibrahim 4-51.

Ibrahim also led the way with the bat, making 80 not out and newcomer James Cruickshank 46 not out as Nomads eased home.

East Grinstead went fourth after claiming their second win of the season, beating Eastbourne by 128 runs.

Twin Grinstead made 255-6 declared with Allan Tait hitting 65, Michael Phillips 59 and Neil Turk 48. Eastbourne were then dismissed for 127 as Neil's twin brother Paul Turk took 4-17.

Horsham also enjoyed a second league win as they beat visiting Hastings by seven wickets at Cricket Field Road.

Sixteen-year-old Toby Finzell struck 55 and South African Rushti Hendricks 51 as Hastings made 217-7, Chris Nash claiming 3-56.

Home skipper Luke Marshall then saw his side home with 91 not out, gaining good support from Nash (52).

Bexhill head division two having won for the third time in five starts.

Lowly Pulborough were sent tumbling for just 113 at home to Bexhill as Ian Ellis bowled unchanged to take 5-36 in 25 overs. Ashley Clarke was top scorer for Pulborough with 31 but the total proved light work for Richard May (51) and Aussie Jesse Lewis (34 not out).

Unbeaten Cuckfield were dismissed for 178 away to St James's Montefiore as Chris Johnson claimed 6-35.

The in-form Sam Chettlebrough then hit 75 but St James fell just short of victory on 174-8 at the close.

Draw specialists Haywards Heath narrowly avoided defeat at home to Lewes Priory.

Lewes recovered from 140-8 to post 200-9 as Sher Khan hit 61 and West Indian Tyrone Lynch 39.

Skipper Gary Honeysett earned Heath the draw with 38 not out, staving off near certain defeat at 125-9 to reach 164-9 at stumps.

The game at Roffey was also drawn but the home side had nine wickets down at stumps against Worthing.

In a Worthing total of 252-9 declared Blayne Cornford hit 65, John Kaye 50 and Andy Lutwyche 44 as Dave Lilley took 4-64.

Roffey reached 233-9 at the close, Imran Khan making 48, Simon Schivnarain 46 and Rob Nevins 41.

Ben Shelford was the most successful of the Worthing bowlers with 3-83.