Champions Preston Nomads have suffered a second Sussex League defeat in successive weeks since clinching their title.

They went down by five wickets at home to Brighton and Hove after a superb bowling performance from Matt Wood, with 6-56, had seen them dismissed for 182.

Only 52 from Kashif Ibrahim and 43 from Alisdair Wilson saved Nomads from total embarrassment after being 16-3 at one stage.

Wood took wickets with his first two balls of the game.

Sussex bowler Chris Liddle triumphed with the bat for Brighton, making 78 in a winning score of 184-5.

Horsham continued their good late season form by beating bottom club Lewes Priory by 145 runs.

They rattled up 272-2, of which 17-year-old Devon Endersby, a Sussex Academy player, hit his first ever league century in making 131 not out. Sam Attfield added 66 not out and James Johnson 52.

Lewes were all out for 127 as New Zealander Michael Bates continued his fine form with the ball, taking 6-22. Michael Murray, with 42 not out, was top scorer for the losers.

Hastings recovered from last week’s heavy defeat at East Grinstead with a 29-run win at Haywards Heath. The visitors made 249-7 declared with 73 from Toby Finzel, 68 from John Morgan and 53 not out from James Beeny.

Heath were dismissed for 220 with Jack Simpson hitting a league best 92 while John Morgan took 6-56 and Mick Glazier 4-59.

Three Bridges have pulled well clear of the relegation zone after winning by five wickets at Cuckfield with three balls to spare.

Cuckfield made 212-9 wih 40 from acting skipper Peter Widdup, 41 from Kristian Piolet and 32 from James Thorpe. Danny Alderman took 4-64 and Nathan Rowe 3-64.

Skipper Mark Newell led his side towards their win. He hit 87 and shared a second-wicket stand of 149 with Richard Webber, who made 85.

Nick Walters, brought on late for Cuckfield, took 3-11 in three overs.

The race for promotion from division two will go right to the wire.

Chichester had no game on Saturday but will need two points to win the title when they play Middleton.

Bexhill and Stirlands meet at the Polegrove separated by 12 points, meaning a win for either could take them up but a draw could be enough for Bexhill to join Chichester in the premier division.

Bexhill went second with a nine-wicket win at home to Pulborough, who they dismissed for 118 with Chris Topp taking 4-35.

It took the home side just 28.1 overs to reach 119-1 as Aussie David Lowery hit 75 not out.

Stirlands were beaten at home by St James, despite restricting their opponents to 196-9 of which James Cameron-Dow made 45.

The home side fell to 154 all out with Matt Ades taking 4-26. Top scorer for Stirlands was Stu Cameron with 53.

Glynde enjoyed a 20-run home win against Roffey, their score of 185 all out owing much to 74 from Robbie Mouland and 49 from Dominic Harris.

Roffey were bowled out for 165 despite 59 from skipper Josh Fleming.

Worthing will not need more than 11 points from their final game to avoid relegation after beating Littlehampton by six wickets.

Littlehampton were all out for 164, of which Benn Challen made 56 not out. Andy Lutwyche was the Worthing hero taking 7-57. John Kay then hit 52.