Crowhurst Park maintained their run of form, claiming a league double over third-placed Ringmer.

The result opens up a gap between the top two and the chasing pack.

A six-wicket success for Park kept the pressure on leaders Fletching, who won away to Ditchling. For Ringmer, though, this was a third successive defeat and they have now slipped to fourth in the table.

On a damp wicket, Ringmer were bowled out for 104 as Victor Walcott (5-21 off 15.4 overs) and skipper Paul Brookes (4-52 off 25) caused havoc.

Graham Pitts claimed two early wickets when Park replied but a stand of 62 between Michael Legg (43) and Chris Philcox (29 not out) guided the visitors to a comfortable win.

Terry Lucas, the previous week's bowling hero, starred with the bat as Fletching beat Ditchling. Lucas hit 86, gaining useful support from Ali Horscroft (28), as Fletching made 192 all out.

Ditchling lost wickets at regular intervals in reply and were dismissed for 93, despite 36 from stand-in skipper Mike Nolan. For Fletching, 18-year-old Tom Randle returned remarkable figures of 3-0 and Grant Horscroft took 3-24.

Glynde moved up to third after a six-wicket triumph at home to rock-bottom Wadhurst. Mick Smith hit 42 for Wadhurst but the visitors were bowled out for 150 with home skipper Ian Mepham claiming 5-17.

In reply, Stuart Mouland (45 not out), Adam McBrown (42) and Dominic Shepheard (32) guided Glynde home.

Chiddingly's good recent run continued with a five-wicket success at home to Newick. Tiger Jadeja hit 50 as Newick made 165 all out, Gavin Sutherland taking 4-53. After tea, a third wicket partnership between John Grieveson (66) and Andy Samuel (47) led the home side to within sight of victory.

Almost 500 runs were scored as DPB (Eastbourne) hosted Heathfield Park. Scott Pearce (88) and Kevin Noon (76) shone as Heathfield made 256-5.

In reply, Richard Horne (64), Terry Penfold (46) and James Bentley (36 not out) took DPB through to 213-6 at the close, with Bob Davies claiming 4-67 for Heathfield.

In division two, the clash of the top two saw leaders Hellingly holding on for a draw at home to Seaford.

The visitors' total of 172 all out owed much to a second wicket stand of 52 between John Reynolds (65) and the ever-maturing Chris Stanyard (36). Dave Pye, who bowled unchanged, took for 5-69, and Mark Underhill (5-38).

In reply, Tristram Peattie (30) and James Wise (22) put on 49 for the second wicket but Stanyard (4-26) sparked a collapse and Hellingly decided to play out a draw. It almost backfired as Mason took two wickets in the final over to leave them hanging on at 107-9.

Herstmonceux took advantage of the draw between the top two as they beat Pevensey by eight wickets to move to within five points of leaders Hellingly.

Gavin Hornby hit 44 for Pevensey but his side were dismissed for 118 with Martyn Cowley claiming 4-13 and Dale Mayhew 3-41. Paul McDonald (74 not out) dominated the reply as Herstmonceux eased to victory.

Iden lost ground on the leaders after being held to a frustrating draw by Rye. Phil Shanks struck an unbeaten 84 as Iden posted 240-4, Michael White adding 40 and David White 39.

Mark Cook hit 38 in reply and Nigel Hacking added 35 but Rye declined against a chase and closed on a disappointing 98-5.

St Peters moved out of the bottom two after a two-wicket triumph at home to fellow strugglers Battle. The visitors' total of 159-8 owed much to a seventh-wicket stand of 80 between Neil Mortimer (58) and Brian Scollay (27).

Stand-in skipper Johnny Armitage and Barney Douglas put on an opening stand of 80. Wickets began to fall but Armitage stood firm, finally falling for 86 with St Peters just ten runs away from claiming their second win of the season.

Barcombe moved clear of the relegation places after a four-wicket win at home to Rottingdean.