The battle for promotion to the premier division is hotting up.

Leaders East Grinstead, Stirlands and Cuckfield are all in contention with half the programme completed.

East Grinstead and Stirlands both had important wins on Saturday, the only outright victories in the division.

Match of the day was at Cuckfield where Stirlands won by five wickets with four overs to spare.

Cuckfield were dismissed for 205 after openers Richard Amer (45) and Tom Mole (35) seemed to have established a platform for a bigger score.

But Australian leg-spinner Ryan Bonner took 5-47 and medium-pacer David Briance 4-49 to keep things in check.

The target always looked comfortable as Barry Meaney made 45, Bonner 46, Jamie Hall 30 and Steve Peyman 34. Pick of the Cuckfield bowlers were 18-year-old South African Steve Booth (2-45) and off spinner Jon Lamley (2-21).

East Grinstead maintained their lead with a four-wicket win at Preston Nomads in a low-scoring game after dismissing their hosts for just 154.

In that total, Imran Khan made 38 and Ian Jones 28 not out while Christian Hunt took 3-43.

Pete Mills, promoted from the second team after hitting 91 a week earlier, top scored with 47, Neil Turk made 29 and Alan Tait 27 as Grinstead reached their target at 157-6, Imran Khan taking 3-44 with his off-spin.

There was excitement at the Stanley Turner Ground as Sidley matched the Lewes Priory total but failed to pass it despite having four wickets in hand.

Kashif Ibrahim led the way with 121 and Michael Murray made 51 in a Lewes Priory total of 232-5 declared. For Sidley, the veteran Tyrone Wildman took 3-89.

Scott Woodroffe, who has just taken over as captain from Peter King, marked his first match in charge with 105 not out. Paul Matthews made 31 as Sidley reached 232-6 at stumps. Sher Khan took 3-67 and Jim Ellis 3-6.

Roffey just held on for a draw at Littlehampton.

They put the home side in, dismissed them for 189 and then finished on 169-9.