Fletching lost at home to Newick, who in turn boosted their own hopes of survival.

The hosts were dismissed for 121 with David Hutchinson claiming three wickets, then Rupert Thacker hit 54 as Newick won with six wickets to spare.

Newick skipper Devraj Jadeja, who took 2-6 off seven overs, said: "Our fielding was excellent. We took four brilliant catches, with the highlight being Miles Caldwell holding one having run backwards for 25 yards."

The battle to avoid the drop will become clearer with two of the contenders for relegation playing twice. After games on Saturday, Ringmer and Seaford will play their re-arranged clash on Sunday.

Ringmer were held to a draw by bottom side DPB (Eastbourne), who now look doomed. Ringmer made 208-6 with Richard Thomas hitting 48 and Neil Thornicroft 34 before being given out for handling the ball.

Terry Penfold struck a defiant 104 not out in reply as DPB held on for a draw at 192-5 despite the efforts of Ringmer skipper Gary Holder who took 4-69.

Herstmonceux boosted their survival hopes with a maximum points win at home to Seaford, who have slipped into the bottom two. Paul McDonald was the inspiration for victory, taking 6-16 as Seaford were dismissed for 92 and then hitting an unbeaten 44 as Herstmonceux knocked off the runs with only three wickets down.

In division two, Hellingly have jumped into the second promotion after a convincing 99-run success at home to Uckfield Anderida.

Hellingly made 219-7 declared thanks to a gritty 76 from skipper Paul Wheatley and a quickfire 60 not out from Steve Vidler. Uckfield slumped to 10-3 in reply and never really recovered despite a superb 73 from Mark Cullingford. They were eventually dismissed for 120 with Dave Pye claiming 7-40 from 15 overs.

The win lifted Hellingly above Ditchling who were held to a draw by relegation-threatened Wadhurst. Ditchling recovered from 62-5 to post 211-7 thanks to Andy Snow (60 not out) and Johnny Atkinson (53). Wadhurst struggled in reply but Terry Jeffery (34) and Bryan Pratt (31) helped them to 133-9 at the close.

Leaders Iden had to settle for a draw against St Peters despite reducing their visitors to 91-6. A seventh-wicket stand of 85 between Matthew Knight (95) and Simon Coomber (53), then an eighth-wicket partnership of 51 between Knight and Brian Scholtz helped Saints to 227-8.

Neil Cloute hit 110 in reply and skipper Michael White 44 but Iden closed on 205-9, Knight taking 4-46 and Scholtz 3-61.

Battle's inspirational Australian Rob Quiney helped them to a third win in four games away to Rottingdean. Quiney took 5-37 as the hosts were dismissed for 141 and then top scored with 39 as Battle won with the last pair at the crease.

Mark Smith took 6-41 for Rottingdean, who have been sucked into the relegation shake-up.

Lewes St Michael's moved off the bottom after a surprise win at home to promotion-chasing Barcombe. Mark Jordan top scored with 46 as the hosts were bowled out for 120, then James Fellows claimed 4-27 as Barcombe slumped to 106 all out in reply. Keith Savage hit 33 for the visitors.