Eastbourne title hopes dashed

Hamilton-Brown eases out Eastbourne

Eastbourne's bid for the Sussex Premier League title looks dead and buried after suffering a six wickets defeat at the hands of the Sussex Development XI at The Saffrons.

Boasting a strong side, including Sussex CCC professionals Ben Brown, Ollie Rayner and Ragheb Aga, Eastbourne could not muster enough runs on a poor wicket and were also outplayed by fellow Sussex pro Rory Hamilton-Brown who hit 96 not out and grabbed four wickets.

Preston Nomads have become favourites for the title with “points on the board” and a fixture against Eastbourne on the final weekend. Hastings, who trail Nomads by just nine points, have a game less than their rivals to play and have a free week next Saturday.

Hastings enjoyed the quickest win of the day by bowling out Cuckfield for just 65 and racing to 66 without loss themselves.

In the Cuckfield innings John Morgan took 5-26 and when Hastings batted, James Beeny struck 52 not out.

Sussex batsman Michael Thornely timed his innings to perfection in helping Horsham to banish all thoughts of relegation with an eight wicket win at home to Brighton and Hove.

Brighton were held to 211 for eight declared of which Matt Machan hit 42 and Matt Green 40. Mark Nash bowled unchanged for 29 overs to take 4-101.

For Horsham, Thornely could only make his century when the scores were level if he hit a six and he did just that to take his side home at 217 for two. He made 103 not out and Sam Attfield hit 86 in a convincing win by Horsham.

Preston Nomads found things far from easy at home to Three Bridges who made 196 for seven batting first. Mark Newell made 50, Sam Allbrough 46 and Michael Norris 38 as Kashif Ibrahim took 3-53.

Nomads won with just four balls to spare at 198 for seven with Aaron Phillips making 78 not out and Jeremy Green 52, For Bridges, Danny Alderman took 3-50.

Stirlands look doomed to relegation after going down by four wickets at home to Eastbourne after being dismissed for 147 of which Nathan Ball made 42 and Nick Hunt 33. For the visitors Raga Aga took 4-31 and Tom Smith 3-34.

In the Eastbourne reply of 151 for six, Martin Garnett made 60 not out and Luke Tomsett 37 not out to help their team recover from a poor start, Nathan Ball taking 3-50.

Chichester look like accompanying their near neighbours in going down after a 62 run defeat at East Grinstead.

The home side made 208 for eight declared of which youngsters Will Adkin made 38 and Matt Kleinveldt 35, for the visitors James Stedman took 3-52.

Tim Bishop was top scorer with 28 in the visitors total of 146 all out, Dinesh Mongia taking 3-54 and Craig Fowle 3-16.