Hastings need 12 points from their final game at struggling Steyning on Saturday to clinch the Shepherd Neame Sussex League title. Only last year's champions Horsham can catch them.

At the bottom, Haywards Heath are relegated and Steyning will join them unless they can shock Hastings.

Hastings polished off Heath in double-quick time after the visitors chose to bat first at Horntye Park. Andy Cornford grabbed 5-27, including a hat-trick, as Heath crashed to 61 all out and Shoab Hashami weighed in with 4-18 Hastings needed just 13.1 overs to knock off the runs, Richard Jackson making 34 not out.

Horsham kept their title hopes alive with an impressive seven-wicket win at home to Three Bridges.

Bridges reached 221-9 declared after a fifth- wicket stand between Australian David Lindsay (68) and skipper Danny Alderman (63). Lindsay made 68. Luke Marshall (5-64) was the pick of the home bowlers and then took charge with the bat, cracking 88 in a winning score of 222-7. Chris Nash made 72 and Andrew Hodd 37.

Brighton and Hove plunged Steyning into more relegation trouble with a nine-wicket victory.

Andy Ridley, a former Brighton player, made 83 in a Steyning total of 181, while Andy Sartor took 3-13 and Richard Spink 3-35.

Martin Adams (80 not out) and Matt Prior (66 not out) guided Brighton home at 183-1 which lifts them to fourth in the table.

They move above Eastbourne who were held to a draw by St James.

Skipper Paul Stevens (56) led the way in Eastbourne's 227-6 declared, while Darren Cumming made 40 and Martin Garnett 38 not out. Henry Ledden took 3-49.

St James skipper Greg Heath made 53 and Mark Johnson 42 as they finished 11 short of victory at 217-6.

Chichester look safe from relegation unless Steyning win on Saturday and they lose to St James and fail to take four points from the match.

They were beaten with some comfort at Worthing after making 185-7 declared. Paul Robbins hit 65 and Darren Hart 33. Jamie Forbes took 3-57.

Worthing reached their target at 186-4, Forbes completing a good day with 66 not out and David Renham made 49.

East Grinstead have won the second division title and promotion back to the premier league after relegation last season. Stirlands look set to join them unless they lose to Cuckfield on Saturday and fail to take three points from the game.

On Saturday, Stirlands declared at 222-3 at Saint Hill with Jamie Hall making 83 not out, Barry Meaney 50 and Ryan Bonner 48.

Donald Campbell (76) led the run chase, Steve Pollard hit 51 and Neil Turk 44 not out to take Grinstead to 223-5.

The other game that might have affected the promotion battle ended in a draw with Cuckfield hanging on with nine wickets down against Rofffey.

Simon Shivnarain hit 84 and Paul Harrison 58 in a Roffey total of 259-6 declared as Rod Candfield took 3-75 for the home side.

Cuckfield reached 182-9 with John Mole saving the day in making 39 not out.