Chichester have opened up a 12-point lead in the premier division of the Sussex Cricket League after a rain-affected victory over Brighton and Hove.

Bad weather delayed the start until 3pm which meant the teams played a 30- overs-a-side match.

Ray Beiber top scored for Brighton as they set 141-8. He hit 42 not out in the face of good bowling from Craig Primmer (2-12) and Nick Dyer (2-39).

The visitors overhauled that total with just a ball to spare at 145-8 thanks to 37 from Bob Dewhurst and 20 by Fazl e Akbar.

Newly promoted Littlehampton have started brightly and moved into second place after enjoying their second win in successive weeks, this time at Steyning.

Steyning batted first and struggled to 171 all out from 51 overs with skipper Jeremy Green cracking 63. For the visitors, the spinners did the damage as Chris Hanks took 4-51 and Ben Challen 3-32.

Littlehampton reached their target from 46 overs with five wickets to spare, Geoff Cole hitting 64 and Challen 48 as Green picked up 3-16.

There was excitement at East Grinstead where visitors Preston Nomads enjoyed a narrow two-wicket victory, their first since promotion.

The home side were put in and it looked a rash decision when Alex Edwards (61) and Neil Turk (54) opened with a century stand but the spin of Steve Rigg (5-71) gradually brought reward for Nomads while Kashif Ibrahim bowled 25 consecutive overs to take 2-71 in a total of 230-9 declared.

Nomads slumped to 41-3 in reply as Leigh Harrison (3-41) caused problems but Joe Gatting (80) and Aaron Phillips (56) led a fightback. Skipper Turk took 4-56 as the game threatened to turn again but Nomads reached their target with two wickets to spare in the penultimate over.

Horsham enjoyed an impressive six-wicket home win against Three Bridges after putting their visitors in and dismissing them for 174.

Chris Baker (6-44) and left arm spinner Mark Nash (4-58) did the damage while Danny Alderman (51 not out) saved Bridges from a much lower total.

Skipper Luke Marshall, dropped twice in single figures, led the victory charge with 55 not out and Chris Nash warmed up for his appearance for Sussex against Bangladesh with 52 which included nine fours and a six.

Eastbourne won for the first time this season, by three wickets with just a ball to spare at Hastings. The home side reached 215-9 declared from 58 overs as George Campbell struck 63 and Rushdi Hendricks 61 not out. John Lord, the Eastbourne skipper, took 4-69.

Sussex Academy youngster Mark Tomsett (73) and South African Stephen George (57) then led Eastbourne home despite the best efforts of home skipper Carl Read (3-54).

Worthing still head division two despite losing a limited overs game to their nearest rivals Cuckfield.

Aussie Blayne Cornford cracked 66 and John Kay 39 as Worthing raced to 155-6 from 28 overs, left arm spinner Jason Oates claiming 4-25.

Tom Mole turned the game Cuckfield's way with a knock of 52 to clinch a five-wicket win.

Bexhill remain unbeaten but were frustrated as the failed to take the final Stirlands wicket that would have given them their second win in three weeks.

Richard May led the way with 89 and Hamish Russell hit 66 in the Bexhill score of 251-6, Paul Dorkings taking 4-52. At stumps Stirlands held on at 193-9 as David Shodiak made 61 and Dorkings 45 despite the best efforts of Chris Topp (5-61).

The biggest win of the day came for St James's Montefiore at hapless Pulborough.

Ed Hart (66 not out) and Sam Chettlebrough (60) helped St James post 213-5, then Zubin Bhettay ripped in with 4-1 from five overs as Pulborough slumped to 42 all out.

Lewes Priory struggled to 154-8 after being put in by Sidley, Michael Murray making 43 as Peter King bowled unchanged to return figures of 5-72.

Richard Matthews scored 53 as Sidley recovered from 52-4 to claim a three-wicket win.

There was a tight finish at Roffey where the home side closed five short of victory with two wickets standing against Haywards Heath.

Danny Hall and Nick Holt each hit 41 for the visitors while David Reilly (6-46) made batting tough as Heath reached 180-8 declared. Simon Shivnarain (58) and Rob Nevins (45) led a reply which saw Roffey close on 176-8.