Joe and Steve Gatting piled on the runs as Preston Nomads surged into second place in the premier division after a 125-run triumph over Horsham.

Seventeen-year-old Joe hit 91 and father Steve 66, while Kashif Ibrahim chipped in with 39, as Nomads posted 284-4 declared with Chris Baker (3-93) the pick of the home bowlers.

Horsham were dismissed for 163 despite 60 from Chris Nash as Ibrahim returned superb figures of 6-22.

Nomads are still 54 points adrift of leaders Chichester but have a game in hand.

Chichester were held to a draw at The Saffrons by Eastbourne after scoring 240-7 declared. David Leaver (51), Jack Hemmingway (48) and Craig Primmer (37 not out) provided the foundations. Ollie Rayner bowled 20 overs for 5-81.

Eastbourne hung on at 208-9 in reply with Jack Hepburn (63 not out) and Martin Garnett (54) top scoring. Fazal e Akbar returned 5-48.

Steyning also clung on for a draw against visitors East Grinstead. Neil Turk starred with 87, which included 11 fours and a six, in Grinsteads 250-9. Jeremy Green (4-74) and Rob Wakeford (3-55) were the pick of the bowlers.

Steyning closed on 170-9, Jibran Khan (58) and Jeremy Green (44) the chief run-makers as Neil Turk took 4-31.

Three Bridges eased their relegation worries with an impressive five-wicket win at Brighton and Hove.

Former Sussex player Andy Cornford hit 94 in Brightons 235-3 declared, cracking 14 fours in his innings, while Bridges Nick Creed took 4-67. Bridges skipper Mark Newell fired 76, including 12 fours and two sixes, to set them on their way to victory with Krishana Singh (57) and Danny Alderman (40) also contributing as they got home with five overs to spare.

Division two leaders Cuckfield were held to a draw at Stirlands despite their skipper Chris Mole hitting another century.

Cuckfield amassed 241-8 declared as Mole made 108 and Stefan Piolet 63. Saeed Ajmal took 3-49.

Andy Emtraj bagged 6-71 but Stirlands closed on 222-9 for the draw with David Chordier top scoring with 87.

Promotion chasers St James won by seven wickets at Worthing after restricting the hosts to 182-9 with Henry Ledden taking 3-27.

Andy Lutwyche (73) and Blayne Cornford (35) rescued Worthing from 64-6.

Aggressive batting by Richard Allum (60) and Ed Hart (64) saw Saints wrap up victory in 34.3 overs.

Haywards Heath won their third successive league game with a seven-wicket victory over Bexhill at the Polegrove.

The hosts made 196-9 declared with Simon Bullteel (45) the chief run maker.

Hayden James then struck 100 not out including 14 fours and four sixes as Heath cruised home at 197-3.

Basement club Sidley drew at Roffey after the home side declared at 226-7 after contributions from Simon Schivnarain (47) and Rob Nevins (49 not out).

Peter King was the pick of the Sidley bowlers with 4-94. Sidley were 184-7 at stumps with Chris Hunnisett (47) and Richard Matthews (46) on song as James Newman took 4-52.

Lewes Priory claimed their third win of the season with a four-wicket victory at Pulborough.

Pulborough collapsed to 106 all out as Kyrone Lynch took 5-59 but Lewes were 10-3 before John Aspens 38 helped steer them home. Pulborough skipper Ashley Clark took 3-29.