Leaders Hastings were held to a draw by Steyning in the Shepherd Neame Sussex League.

That enabled Three Bridges to close the gap at the top to 22 points after an impressive home win against Eastbourne.

Brad Smith hit an unbeaten 102 as Hastings declared on 251-3. George Campbell (35), Jason Finch (32) and Richard Jackson (47 not out) made sure of maximum batting points for Hastings.

Steyning reached stumps at 199-8 with Gary Hunt (54) top scoring, while Jamie Carpenter weighed in with 34.

Mick Glazier took 4-29, Andy Cornford 2-47 and James Chaplin, playing his first game of the season, 2-46.

Three Bridges are enjoying a purple patch and stunned Eastbourne with a nine-wicket win.

Opener James Chadburn cracked 100 not out and Jibran Khan 86 as Bridges cruised home at 209-1 to consolidate second place.

Earlier, Paul Stevens made 47 and Riaan Walters 43 in an Eastbourne total of 208 all out.

Danny Alderman grabbed 4-27 and young leg-spinner Conrad Mumby 4-63.

Brighton and Hove have a game in hand on the top two and kept their title hopes alive with a 39-run victory at Worthing.

Brighton made 256-6 declared as Patrick Spencer top scored with 64, Robert Wakeford made 44, Andrew Perry 39 and the evergreen Ray Beiber 35.

Andy Lutwyche was the pick of the Worthing bowlers with 3-76.

The home side then tumbled to 217 all out, despite 82 from Ben Shelford, 33 from Dominic Clapp and 31 from Steve Pearce.

The wicket-takers were skipper Andy Sartor (3-44), Richard Spink (4-34) and Patrick Spencer (3-34).

Horsham enjoyed their fourth win of the campaign when they beat bottom club Haywards Heath by five wickets. They also have a game in hand on the pacesetters.

Haywards Heath made 205-8 declared as Aussie youngster Jason Krezja hit 64 and Paul Havell made 46. It was the spinners who did the damage - Mark Upton took 3-46 and Chris Nash 3-80.

South African opener Mark Sanders (82) steered Horsham home in their winning total of 206-5.

Chichester have moved clear of the relegation zone after a narrow 12- run win at St James.

They made 205-8 declared as Australian youngster Kim Wulff hit 91 against the bowling of Andy Wellfare (6-35).

Simon Warrender did his best to set up victory for St James with 52 but wily Scotland international spinner Nick Dyer grabbed 5-52 and Adam Sharp took 3-15 and they were dismissed for 193, just 13 runs short of an elusive victory.