Pakistani Test bowler Fazal e Akbar took 7-50 to keep Chichester top of the Sussex League premier division with a win at Steyning.

Brighton and Hove kept the pressure on by taking maximum points against Three Bridges while Horsham climbed to third after their fourth win in five weeks.

Even a rain delay failed to stop Akbar continuing his red-hot form with the ball at Steyning.

The home side had no answer to the 23-year-old, who played the most recent of his five Tests just four months ago, as they were dismissed for 155. The seven-wicket haul took Akbar's tally for the season to 47.

Steyning's early batting promised better with Darren Smit cracking 65 and Nick Colley making 39 but the last five wickets tumbled for just nine runs. Nick Dyer took 3-47.

Chichester found batting far from easy and only 48 from Jez Goode steadied the ship to help his side to victory at 158-8. David Mates grabbed 3-22.

Akbar said: "I am really enjoying myself playing in Sussex. My team mates are brilliant and they help me to relax.

"I have played for the last four seasons in the Bolton League where the cricket was tough because of the quality of the professionals. In Sussex there are not the pros but the amateurs are very good.

"I won the league in one of my seasons in Bolton and I hope I may be able to help Chichester win this year."

Brighton and Hove found victory rather less difficult at home to Three Bridges who tumbled to 103 all out from 38.5 overs.

Mark Newell and James Chadburn shared an opening stand of 51 but then ten wickets fell for just 52 as Matt Wood took 4-30, Andy Cornford 4-35 and Deon Carolus 2-34.

Chris Grammer top scored with 20 as Brighton were helped to 105-2 by 37 extras.

Horsham rattled up 278-5 from just 42 overs at home to St James to give themselves plenty of time to bowl out their visitors for 191.

Chris Nash made 66, Mike Burroughs 64 and skipper Luke Marshall 43. Zeuben Bhettay took 2-83.

Mark Gardner made 43, Tom Burton 33, Malcolm Waller 25 and Bhettay 25 not out but St James' chase was in vain as Mark Nash returned best ever league figures of 8- 62.

Lewes Priory climbed off the bottom after their third victory of the season as they won by 29 runs at East Grinstead.

Skipper Michael Murray and Tim Daniels each made 50 and James Cruickshank added 40 as Lewes declared on 202-6. Duncan Shoebridge was the pick of the bowlers with 3-33 .

Grinstead were then bowled out for 173 as veteran seamer Ian Newman took 5-42. Neil Turk top scored with 43 while Zimbabwean Neil Ferriera made 32.

Rain reduced Hastings' match at Eastbourne to just 33 overs a side but it did not dampen the excitement.

The visitors made 182-9 with Brighton College student Richard Young hitting 70, John Morgan 39 and Brad Smith 32. Eastbourne's Ollie Rayner claimed a hat-trick in figures of 4-19 in four overs.

The in-form Sean Heather made 78 and Stephen George 44 as Eastbourne closed in on their target. The home side needed four from the last ball to win but were denied.

John Morgan with 3-25 and Mick Glazier (2-30) were the pick of the bowlers.