Horsham need just nine points from their game at Three Bridges on Saturday to win their first Shepherd Neame Sussex Cricket League title for ten years.

Hastings, beaten at Brighton and Hove on Saturday, entertain Crowborough in their final game and need to win to have any chance of pipping Horsham for the title.

Overnight rain that seeped under the covers at Saint Hill made batting difficult and Horsham were dismissed for just 142 against East Grinstead, for whom the 84-run defeat meant relegation to division two.

In difficult batting conditions, David Hussey raced to 32 before Horsham tumbled to 50-4. Chris Nash (25) and elder brother Mark (22 not out) enabled the title favourites to reach 142 all out, Stuart Simmonds taking 5-44 and Steve Greig 4-18. When Simmonds dismissed Hussey, it was his 300th Sussex League wicket.

Grinstead then crashed to 58 all out in 35 overs with Nick Weekes taking 5-25.

Hastings were beaten by 61 runs at Brighton and Hove, for whom Sussex player Bas Zuiderent hit 102 in a total of 223-9 declared. The emerging talent of 17 year-old Rob Wakeford added 62 and Mike Yardy, currently out of the Sussex side, took 6-73.

Hastings then tumbled to 162 all out. Tim Eldridge was top scorer with 48, Andy Sartor grabbed 3-25 and Patrick Spencer 3-14.

Chichester virtually made certain of Premier League cricket next season when beating Haywards Heath by nine wickets.

The home side made 184 with David Wood hitting 95 and Tim Cruickshank 34. Neil Budden took 5-52.

Andy Perry took advantage of the absence of any front line bowling in the Heath attack, making 101 not out, and Paul Robbins hit 65 as Chichester cruised home at 185-1.

Aussie Ben Cameron became the first player ever to hit more than 1,000 runs in a Sussex League season as his century, exactly 100, helped Worthing to 250-7 declared at home to Eastbourne, who were then dismissed for just 126.

Dominic Clapp (49) and Andy Lutwyche (37) helped swell the home total while Roger Myall was the pick of the Eastbourne bowlers, taking 4-46.

Eastbourne then collapsed to 126 all out as Danny Barton grabbed 5-57 and Anthony Aduhene, having announced his retirement three weeks ago, returned to take 5-50.

Three Bridges enjoyed a five-wicket win at home to Crowborough after rain under their covers had delayed the start of their match by 90 minutes.

Crowborough were dismissed for 200 with Naeem Akhtar leading the way with 52. Teenage spinner Conrad Mumby took 4-29.

Bridges owed much to 83 from former Cambridge University captain James Pyemont. Skipper Danny Alderman added 39 not out as they reached their winning score of 204-5.

In division two, Steyning's victory over leaders St James's Montefiore has ensured the promotion and championship battles go right to the wire.

Any two of St James, Steyning, Stirlands and Sidley could go up. Steyning would definitely be promoted if they get 20 points or more at Cuckfield .

Steyning gambled successfully by putting promotion rivals St James in to bat and dismissing them for 162, of which the prolific Sam Chettlebrough made 61 as Giles Haywood grabbed 4-35.

Former Sussex professional Haywood then hit 73 as Steyning reached 163-8 to win by two wickets, Mark Johnson taking 4-43 and Andy Wellfare 3-31.

Sidley suffered a surprising 27-run defeat at Cuckfield, who moved off the bottom of the table for the first time this season.

Cuckfield scored 183-9 declared and Sidley tumbled to 156 all out despite 56 from Jonathan Haffenden. David Fitt was the match-winning bowler, taking 5-20.

Stirlands kept their promotion bid on track with a convincing 138-run victory at home to Bexhill after rattling up 240-1 declared. Jamie Hall made 103 not out and young Aussie Peter Cross struck 93.

Bexhill then tumbled to 102 all out, Adam Tester taking 5-29.

Any lingering promotion hopes for Littlehampton ended with an eight-wicket defeat at Roffey where they were bowled out for just 102, Darren Dance taking 4 -38.

Preston Nomads suffered a surprising five-wicket defeat at home to Lewes Priory.

Nomads were dismissed for 120 as Kashif Ibrahim took 5 -35. Lewes then made 121-5 with Michael Murray contributing 38 and Richard Eborn 37.