Daniel James claimed eight wickets as Heathfield Park's remarkable turnaround continued with a crushing win against DPB (Eastbourne).

Victory was wrapped up in less than two hours which enabled Heathfield to beat the wet weather which wiped out most games on Saturday.

A month ago Heathfield looked doomed to relegation but this third successive win has lifted them to fifth in the table.

Skipper Ian Cox said: "That is 90 points from three games. We did a similar thing last year when we struggled early in the season. I don't know why, maybe it is just a lack of confidence.

"We had a fantastic win against Newick a couple of weeks ago which got us back on track.

"Last year we were down the bottom but in the second half of the season we were one of the best teams in the league.

"There is no real reason for it. James Heywood, our wicketkeeper and a good batsman too, has just come back from Cambridge University and I have missed lots of games with a broken hand. But apart from that we have had a pretty settled side.

"We have always remained upbeat because we know we have some good players."

Visitors DPB were put in and their innings lasted just 22 overs as they were dismissed for 63. Terry Penfold (17) offered the only real resistance as 20-year-old fast bowler James ripped through the order to claim 8-27 from 11 overs. Piers Cowley took 2-33.

Heathfield needed just 6.4 overs to knock off the runs as Cox (39 not out) and Heywood (21 not out) ensured an early finish.

Cox said: "Daniel is a young lad. He has come up through the second team and we have persevered with him. He has improved and got more confident as they season has gone on."

Despite the win Cox knows his side still have a lot of work to do.

He said: "I just don't want to be caught up in a relegation battle. I would like to finish above halfway.

"There are four teams, Crowhurst Park, Fletching, Glynde and Chiddingly, who have broken away a bit at the top. After that, anyone could go down. If we can be challenging somewhere near the top half of the table come the end of the season I would be delighted."

All other games in the first division were started but not finished. Fletching reached 128-7 at Glynde with Andy Horscroft scoring 42 and Grant Horscroft 29 as Joe Adams claimed 3-44.

Andy Standen was unbeaten on 62 as Herstmonceux reached 190-8 at home to Newick. John Smith's 61 helped Seaford to 202 all out against Crowhurst Park, whose reply was curtailed at 37-0.

Ringmer reached 80-1 against Chiddingly before the weather intervened. The teams observed a minute's silence before the start in memory of Duncan Pugh, who died suddenly eight days earlier.

The previous week's games involving the three Ringmer league sides had been postponed and the league management committee has now asked their opponents to decide whether to replay the fixtures on a Sunday or the August Bank Holiday Monday or to accept the games were abandoned and be awarded nine points.

In division two, two games were completed and Iden extended their lead at the top with victory at home to Uckfield Anderida. Chris Curd (39) and Phil Shanks (38) helped Iden post 211 all out in the face of good bowling from Simon Lewis (4-9) and Jon Deverill (4-59). Deverill hit 35 in reply but Uckfield were dismissed for 94 with Paul Barnett (4-22) and David White (3-39) doing the damage.

Second placed Ditchling drew at bottom side Battle. The hosts, who welcomed back Queenslander Rob Quiney after a two year absence, made 251-3 thanks to a third wicket partnership of 178 between Ollie West (99) and Ned Gammel (78 not out).

Ditchling went for victory in reply with Andy Snow scoring 51, Ollie Burns 49 and Jim Nolan 35 but they closed on 244-9. Quiney, who has just finished touring England with the Melbourne Crusaders, marked his comeback with 4-67.

Promotion rivals St Peters reached 35-1 against Lewes St Michael's before the rain intervened, Barcombe were 75-6 at Wadhurst and Hellingly made 121-0 at Rottingdean.

In division three, leaders Rye recovered from 76-7 to post 126 at home to Hailsham. Mark Cook hit 50 as wickets fell to Ben Bowles (4-37) and Matt Davies (3-25). Davies hit 25 in reply but Hailsham were undone by Adam Mc-Donogh (5-16) and Martin Blincow (4-18) as they fell for 65.

Pett went second as Steve Crisford (75) and Gary Osborn (60) helped them to a 108-run success at home to Little Common Ramblers. Ricky Horne took 7-70 for the visitors.

In division four, Nick Davies (75 not out) and Nathan Lindfield (5-50) inspired Crowhurst Park II to a four-wicket success at home to Willingdon.