Champions Preston Nomads suffered their first defeat of the season when going down by a staggering 182 runs at Horsham.

A week after retaining their title, Nomads were humbled by a Horsham side who were in all sorts of trouble themselves at one stage.

The hosts recovered from 76-6 to post 244-9 with Luke Marshall hitting 79, Alan Law 56 and Mark Nash 31. For Nomads, Carl Simon took his league tally to 57 with figures of 5-49.

Nomads them tumbled to 82 all out as Michael Bates grabbed 6-47 and Matt Barry 3-21. Top scorer for Nomads was Stephen Rigg with 25 not out after his side had slumped to 42-9.

Simon Williamson recorded his best ever bowling figures of 8-49 to send a weakened Hastings tumbling to 75 all out.

Cullen Bailey hit 29 not out as East Grinstead cruised home at 78-2.

Brighton and Hove continued their recent good run with a seven-wicket win at home to Cuckfield and two more victories from their last two games could give Brighton the runners-up spot.

Nick Walters top-scored with 38 in a Cuckfield score of 129 all out as Patrick Spencer took 6-37 and Matt Wood 3-44.

Brighton reached their target with three wickets down with Luke Wells scoring 47 and Chris Liddle 35.

Bottom club Lewes Priory lost their 16th game in 17 starts when going down by 137 runs at home to Eastbourne.

The visitors made 235 all out with 59 from Luke Tomsett and 30 from skipper Mark Tomsett as Michael Murray took 5-68 and Tim Moses 3-21.

Lewes then crashed to 98 all out in 24.5 overs as Stuart Collier claimed 5-43.

Haywards Heath will join Lewes in division two next season after their defeat at Three Bridges. Ironically, the two clubs going down are the two clubs who were promoted last year.

Hayden James hit 76 as Haywards Heath were dismissed for 190 after being put in, Danny Alderman taking 5-47 and Nathan Rowe 3-64.

Bridges’ two ex-Sussex men, Jerry Heath and skipper Mark Newell, were among the runs as the home side won by four wickets. Heath, on his return to first team action for the first time in five years, made 68 and Newell 30.

In division two, Chichester are on the brink of taking the title. They need a maximum of ten points from their last game to do so and only two points to secure promotion after trouncing St James’s Montefiore by 131 runs.

Chi made 188 all out with Chris Kirkham hitting 70 and then sent St James tumbling to 57 all out as player-coach Richard Logan took 5-27 and Gary Austerbury 5-26.

Nearest rivals Stirlands and Bexhill kept up their challenge with outright victories. They are separated by just eight points with two games to play and they meet in the last game of the season.

Stirlands won by ten wickets at home to Glynde who they dismissed for 182 of which Dominic Shepheard made 65 and Robbie Mouland 62. Sixteen-year-old Dan Beal took 4-40.

In reply, Stirlands reached 183 without loss, Daniel Oliver and Ben Rapson each hitting 91 not out.

It was tight at Littlehampton where Bexhill won by just 18 runs after making 212 all out. Richard May hit 52, David Lowery 46 and Jon Haffenden 42 as Chris Hanks took 7-57.

In reply Littlehampton were bowled out for 194 with Ben Smith hitting 63 and Chris Heberlein 52 as David Lowery and Sean Austin each bagged three wickets.

Middleton are in serious danger of relegation following a 66-run defeat at home to Pulborough. They are ten points ahead of second- bottom Worthing, who have a game more to play.

Pulborough made 207 all out of which Rohit Jagota hit 77 and Tom Crump 51. Brendan Hanley took 4-64 for Middleton who then fell to 141 all out as Jagota claimed 4-60.