Glynde made the perfect start in their bid to become the first club for more than 30 years to win a hat-trick of East Sussex League titles.

Ringmer, who were triumphant for three seasons on the trot after the league was formed in 1972, are the only previous team to achieve the feat.

Glynde, winners in 2003 and 2004, began their treble bid with a comfortable eight-wicket success at home to St Peters.

New skipper Dale Tranter, who has replaced Richard Harding, believes his group of highly-promising youngsters can triumph again.

Tranter said: "Ringmer are the only side to have won it three years running and our aim is to equal that.

"We have a good squad of players and everyone is battling for places. We also have another lot of youngsters coming through our lower teams.

"Crowhurst Park will be a strong side again this year and probably our main rivals. We are playing them this Saturday and it should be interesting."

Chiddingly batsman Darren Howard is the only notable addition for Glynde who bowled out St Peters for 106 with Dominic Shepheard (5-19) and Tranter (5-31) doing the damage. The lone resistance came from Matt Green (42).

Two wickets went down in reply as Joe Adams (61 not out) led Glynde to victory.

Crowhurst Park began with an equally convincing win against Fletching.

Dave Murray (62), Michael Legg (36) and Laurence Coleman (31 not out) helped Park post 212 all out in the face of good bowling from Grant Horscroft (5-33) and brother Andy (3-41).

After tea, Andy Fitzgerald (52) was a thorn in Park's side but even he could not stop skipper Victor Walcott (7-18) from destroying the Fletching batting order as they tumbled to 103 all out.

Ringmer opened with a six-wicket win at Herstmonceux, who had set 217-5 thanks mainly to a superb 110 from Paul McDonald. John Stevens added 49 in a second-wicket stand of 161 while Gary Holder was the pick of the bowlers with 5-44.

Ringmer looked in trouble at 100-4 after tea as Greg Watson took 3-55 but new skipper Murray Barnett and Glyn Crees put on a fantastic 118 for the fifth wicket, both unbeaten on 53, to lead their side to victory.

Dave Winnard claimed 5-39 to lead Newick to victory at home to Iden. James Tree hit 43 for the visitors who were bowled out for 144 in reply to Newick's 171 all out which included 34 from Alistair Maiden.

Seaford also started with a win at home to Heathfield Park, who lost their top three batsmen for ducks as they slumped to 10-3. They recovered to post 134 all out but Seaford passed that with six wickets to spare with Clive Chipper (32) top scoring.

In division two, two excellent bowling displays were the features of relegated Chiddingly's five-run win over promoted Willingdon.

David Ellis hit 48 and Tom Carr 36 for Chiddingly, who were bowled out for 148 with Duncan Ford taking 7-49. In reply, Carr claimed 7-41 as Willingdon fell just short of their target.

The other relegated side, Hellingly, lost by two wickets to Rottingdean. Skipper James Wise hit a splendid 103 not out, sharing in a second-wicket partnership of 162 with Paul Wheatley (71), as Hellingly made 210-3.

Rottingdean lost eight wickets in pursuit of their target but got home thanks mainly to 60 from Brett Moore and 42 by Andy Bird.

Ditchling, who just missed out on promotion last year, won by five wickets at home to Tunbridge Wells Borderers.

Peter Danckert hit 44 as Borderers posed 152 all out but Ditchling knocked off the runs with Mark Hilfiker scoring 40.

Kevin Morton hit a battling 59 as Uckfield Anderida set 155-9 at home to Crowborough, for whom Jimmy Grose took 5-47.

Chris Roxburgh hit ten boundaries in his 42 as Crowborough got off to a flying start but 15-year-old Chris Huntley (4-14) and seasoned campaigner Gareth Hayes (3-46) halted their progress and they were eventually dismissed for 145.

Skipper Joe Wheatley (38 and 4-30) starred with bat and ball as Barcombe enjoyed an emphatic win against Battle. Keith Savage top scored with 66 as Barcombe posted 246-7, then Allan Trower chipped in with 3-31 as Battle collapsed to 99 all out.