Shepherd Neame League: Hastings will retain the title if they beat Brighton and Hove on Saturday.

If they fail, the race for the championship will go to the final week, provided Horsham win at Chichester.

The top two clubs both won on Saturday and Brighton and Hove moved third with an easy win at home to bottom club Stirlands.

Hastings hit 272-9 declared against Steyning, Sam Traill (47) leading the way, as Giles Haywood took 3-59 and Kiwi Mark Fraser 3-52.

The visitors chased all the way but were dismissed for 248 as Andy Cornford took 5-54. Jeremy Green made 75 and Dave Browning 63.

Horsham kept up the pressure with a six-wicket win at home to Eastbourne who remain in serious danger of finishing in the bottom two.

Eastbourne were held to 185-9 with a top score from Tom Smith, 16, of 33 not out, while left-arm spinner Mark Nash took 5-69.

Younger brother Chris Nash hit 99 and received good support from Luke Marshall (42). The pick of the visiting bowlers was young off-spinner Ollie Rayner with 3-88.

Aussie paceman Damon Preo ran riot at Stirlands and grabbed 7-35 to send the home side tumbling to 64 all out in just 26 overs.

Brighton and Hove then cruised to maximum points by reaching 65-1 of which Patrick Spencer made 41.

The remaining game ended as a draw at Three Bridges where Chichester totalled 223-8 declared from 58 overs.

Kim Wulff hit 59 and Jack Hemmingway 43 not out as Nick Creed took 3-56 and leg-spinner Conrad Mumby 4-70.

Bridges found scoring hard work and at stumps had made 201-7. Andy Nicholls hit 63 not out and Raj Waterman 40 not out to save the day after the early batting failed.