Horsham crushed by Hastings

Despite having three Sussex professionals among their ranks, Horsham struggled to raise their game against Hastings and fell to a crushing nine wicket defeat at Horntye to ensure no change at the top of the Sussex Premier League table.

Opening with Michael Thornely and Chris Nash, Horsham made a poor start with both batsmen out cheaply before a double figures total had been reached but Sussex Academy's Sam Attfield posted 85 from 87 balls and combined with county wicketkeeper Andrew Hodd (57) to put the visitors back on track.

Tim van Noort, the South African pace bowler returned to the attack and in a punishing spell removed the last five batsmen for just 15 runs to leave Horsham looking vulnerable with a total of 205.

Van Noort finished with 5-39 in 13 overs, his best figures since 2005, and Hasting's confidence was sky high as Toby Finzel made light work of the Horsham attack with an unbeaten 90 and Richard Young also finishing undefeated with 95 to see their side home comfortably in 47.1 overs for the loss of just one wicket.

The win gives Hastings a 13 point lead at the top of the table but Preston Nomads, in second place, have two games in hand and are right on their heels following their 91 run victory at Cuckfield.

The win came despite a fine bowling effort from Cuckfield's James Thorpe who took 6-50 as Nomads moved to 254 all out with Carl Simon making 61 and James McKemy posting an unbeaten 40, although Jeremy Green (31) and Rob Wakeford (32) were not among the early order failures.

The Nomads bowlers were always on top when the home side batted as Kashif Ibrahim took 3-63 and Stephen Rigg 3-18, only Richard Amer (44) and Graeme Beghin (39) stayed for any length of time as they were dismissed for 163 to tumble to their fifth defeat of the season.

Eastbourne were held to a draw by visiting East Grinstead so lost ground in their quest for honours as all the clubs in the relegation battle saw their games end in draws.

Stuart Faith hit his first Premier League century, making 107 from 156 balls for Eastbourne against East Grinstead at The Saffrons.

With Mark Tomsett also hitting 60 and Ollie Rayner 46, the home side were able to declare at 268 for six, Craig Fowle taking 3-114 and Dinesh Mongia 2-83.

East Grinstead reached 179 for eight at stumps with Alan Wells hitting 81 not out and Mongia making 50 for the home side with Tom Smith taking 4-45.

Brighton and Hove skipper Patrick Spencer led his side to 247 for seven declared in making 72 with Luke Wells adding 44 and Matt Machan 33 against fellow strugglers Chichester for whom Matt Gethen took 2-34.

The visitors held on at 206 for nine in reply of which John Haynes made 66 not out, David Leaver 41 and Tim Bishop 37.

For Brighton Matt Wood took 3-40 and Julian Stephenson 3-55.

A draw was also the outcome of the game at Three Bridges where the home side finished 13 short of victory with two wickets standing against Stirlands.

Nick Hunt with 74 not out helped Stirlands recover from 128 for six to make 221 for nine declared as Steve Brown took 3-33 and Nick Creed 3-61.

Michael Norris was top scorer for Bridges. He made 33 as each successive batsman seemed to get out after starting soundly. Struan Cameron took 2 for 38 as Three Bridges reached 209 for 8 at stumps.