Three Bridges have taken over as the new leaders of the Shepherd Neame Sussex Premier League, knocking Hastings off the top for the first time this season.

Bridges enjoyed a six-run victory at Steyning while Hastings crashed to defeat by a massive 206 runs at Eastbourne.

Nick Creed led the way for Three Bridges as they took maximum batting points at Steyning with a total of 251 (Giles Haywood 4-31).

Glen Jones smashed 81 and David Browning made 54 to take Steyning close to victory before the final wicket fell with them six short of the Bridges score at 245 (Danny Alderman 4-18, Conrad Mumby 3-83).

Eastbourne enjoyed a run feast at the Saffrons as they made 293-7 declared off the Hastings attack. Darren Stevens led the way with 102 which included nine fours and four sixes. Rian Walters (58) and Darren Cumming (54) chipped in.

The visitors then tumbled to 87 all out with 16-year-old Ollie Rayner returning superb figures of 5-18 from just 22 balls. Toby Eyre took 2-12 and Paul Hacker 2-25 as Brad Smith, with just 27, was top scorer for Hastings.

Last year's league champions Horsham have moved themselves into contention to retain their title after winning by six wickets at Chichester.

Opener John Edwards (70) top scored for the hosts in their 200 total. He was ninth out and shared a stand of 115 for the fifth wicket with acting skipper Daniel Oliver (56). At one time Chi were 25-4 but recovered somewhat before Chris Baker, with figures of 7-65, proved a match winner.

Batting proved straightforward enough for Horsham as they reached 201-4 from just 29.4 over as Craig Gallagher (53no) finished the game with a huge six.

Mark Sanders (48) and Andrew Hodd (41) had paved the way for the comfortable victory, their team's seventh in the league this season.

Bottom club Haywards Heath gave title chasing Brighton and Hove a fright before drawing their game.

Brighton recovered from 63-4 to make 245-9 declared as Patrick Spencer hit 69, Rob Wakeford 50, Andy Sartor 33 and Stephen Ades 29 to spare their blushes. There were three run-outs and Stuart Parr took 3-74.

Opener Paul Havell spent 44 overs making 34 and, at one time, Heath were 162-1 due mainly to a superb 121 from David Wood. However, time ran out as Heath were unable to accelerate towards victory.

The remaining game was drawn between Worthing and St James at the Manor Ground. The home side made 190 (Andy Stillwell 42) whle for St James Mike Harrison took 4-41. St James then held on at 145-9 (James Harrington 42, Danny Barton 4-35, Jamie Forbes 3-60).

EAST Grinstead have taken over at the top of the Second Division of the Sussex League but it is still very close with Stirlands and Cuckfield vying with Grinstead for the two promotion places available.

It was a seventh league win of the season for East Grinstead by a four wicket margin at the expense of Lewes Priory that gave them first place in the table, helped by the fact that previous leaders Stirlands had no game.