Terry Lucas claimed an impressive seven wicket haul as leaders Fletching consolidated top spot with victory over third placed Ringmer.

Lucas bowled unchanged to take 7-52 as Ringmer were restricted to 133-9 from 55 overs. Glyn Crees scored 28 and Neil Thornicroft 25.

In reply, Fletching put on 51 for the first wicket before David Meacher fell for 30. Mark Horscroft then took the score to 81 before he was well caught by Murray Barnett for 37.

A few wickets fell but Clive Horscroft (24 not out) stood firm to secure a three wicket win with five balls to spare.

With the season at the halfway stage, Fletching are well placed to claim a title they last won three years ago.

Vice-captain Grant Horscroft said: "While we have had the good fortune to win the toss in all but one fixture so far, you still need to make the advantage count and tight bowling and keen fielding have given the batters reasonable targets to chase.

"Newcomers David Meacher and Andy Fitzgerald have brought strength to an already formidable batting line-up. Bowling has been economic with skipper Glenn Potter using his experienced seamers to good effect on helpful wickets.

"As for the rest of the season, we must continue what we have achieved so far. There will be some competitive matches and it is important that we maintain our form collectively and that we play in the proper spirit."

Second placed Crowhurst Park returned to winning ways but only by the skin of their teeth in a closely fought match at Newick.

The home side batted first on a damp track and reached 42-0 after 18 overs, but a clatter of wickets meant the score soon became 62-5 and they eventually reached 136-9 at tea. Miles Caldwell top-scored with 23 while for Crowhurst Park Graham Corke took 3-32 and Victor Walcott held four catches.

Crowhurst Park were in trouble at 52-6 in reply as Chris Murphy (4-56) caused havoc but Lawrence Coleman (37 not out) and Walcott (33) compiled a seventh wicket stand of 59 to take them to within sight of victory.

Two more wickets fell but Coleman hit a four through mid-wicket off the third ball of the final over to clinch victory.

DPB (Eastbourne) were the biggest climbers in the division after a 56-run success away to Chiddingly.

The visitors were in trouble at 82-8 as Darren Howard claimed 6-47, but Martin Hanmer (40 not out) and James Bentley (25) led a recovery to lead them through to a final total of 164 all out.

The recovery proved decisive as Chiddingly were bowled out for 108 in reply with only wicketkeeper Simon Lambert showing any resistance, scoring 35 at No.9. Jamie Sykes was the chief destroyer by taking 6-21.

Heathfield Park claimed their first win of the season at home to Glynde. Skipper Ian Cox hit 119, enjoying a third wicket stand of 88 with James Heywood (45), as Heathfield amassed 237-7. Steve Pearson added an unbeaten 22 late on while Joe Adams (3-90) was the pick of the bowlers.

In reply, Tim Stirmey hit 27 not out but Glynde were skittled for 112 with Simon Briggs (4-39) and Bob Davies (4-19 off 8.2 overs) sharing the bowling honours.

Another centurion was Ditchling's Mike Nolan as his side made 236-9 declared at Wadhurst. Barnaby Stubbs chipped in with 51 while wickets fell to Jim Harwood (4-46) and Tony Ellis (3-60).

Joe Brennan hit 52 in reply, but Wadhurst were indebted to Harwood and Gary Bennett who batted out the last 16 overs in an unbroken ninth wicket stand of 40 to salvage a draw at 153-8. Kevin Rickard took 5-41 for Ditchling.

Division two leaders Hellingly lost their unbeaten record in an enthralling match at home to Iden.

Contributions from Rob Pye (45), Steve Hook (37), James Wise (31) and Steve Vidler (27) helped Hellingly reach 181-9 at tea.

In reply, Iden were indebted to skipper David White who dominated their innings with an unbroken 116 as Iden clinched victory with three wickets to spare. Pye took 4-65 for a Hellingly side who were missing skipper Paul Wheatley and pace bowler Matt Davies.

Speaking from Spain, Wheatley said: "We are halfway through the season and have already topped 200 points which is a great achievement. If we can match that in the run-in then we should get promotion to division one."

Second placed Seaford were held to a draw by Rottingdean. Seaford lost wickets regularly and were grateful to a typically aggressive 50 not out from John Smith, batting at No. 8, as they reached 180-8 declared. For Rottingdean, Mark Smith took 4-55 and M. Steer 3-47.

The visitors made little effort to chase the runs and eventually held out for a draw at 102-8 despite the efforts of Paul Mason, who took 3-25.

Herstmonceux closed the gap on the top two with a 65-run success away to Battle. Opener Paul McDonald led the way with 57 as the visitors made 162 all out in the face of some excellent bowling for Brian Scollay, who bowled unchanged for 7-55.

In reply, Geoff Raggert carried his bat for 49 but Ollie West (15) was the only other batsman to reach double figures as Battle were dismissed for 97. McDonald completed a fine all-round display by taking 3-22 from 11 overs.

Pevensey moved off the bottom after a 40-run success at home to Barcombe. The hosts must have feared the worst when Joe Wheatley (5-37) and Keith Hunter (4-30) combined to dismiss them for 104.

Barcombe struggled even more on a deteriorating wicket and did not hit a boundary until the 36th over. They were eventually dismissed for 64 with Nick Lewis taking 4-10 from 20 overs and Paul Nunney 4-26 from 24.2.

St Peters slipped to the bottom after their match at Rye was abandoned. The hosts had reached 29-2 from 12 overs when the rain hit.

Division three: Pett 127 (Dean Serra 5-34, Stephen Green 4-39) lost to Tunbridge Wells Borderers 183-8 (David Green 67no); Rotherfield v Lewes St Michael's rained off; Glynde II 206-7 (Jim Backshall 83, Sam Adams 42) lost to Polegate and Stone Cross 210-8 (Steve Hover 67); Uckfield Anderida 89 (Brian Huxley 6-30) beat Buxted Park 65 (Ben Gaine 6-33); Newhaven 135-8 (Dennis Ord 40) drew with Beaulieu 145 (David Ivins 42).

Division four: Ringmer II 49 (Matt Smith 5-14) lost to Hailsham 99 (Dean Noakes 41, David Collins 6-47, Graham Bannatyne 4-42); Little Common Ramblers 124-4 (Peter Winchester 42) beat Willingdon 121 (Tim Tutt 40, Mark Wisden 5-31); Dicker Butterfly v Robertsbridge rained off; Crowhurst Park II 160-3 (Karl Khan 77no) beat Maresfield 158 (Matthew Bennett 46, James Toplett 42, Ian Northorpe 5-19); Ditchling II 216-6 (Kevin Grant 59, Ben Sippy 54, Phil Harwood 6-50) beat Battle II 116.