Phillips and Gould star for Nomads

Preston Nomads, two times winners of the Sussex Premier League title in the last three seasons, romped home to a resounding 76 run win over Three Bridges to signal their intent for 2009.

There were also outright wins for Brighton and Hove, Cuckfield and East Grinstead but the most exciting finish came at Hastings where the home side and Eastbourne fought out a draw which ended with the scores level and Eastbourne with nine wickets down.

At Three Bridges, visitors Preston Nomads posted 240 for eight declared as Aaron Phillips hit 65 and Michael Gould 58. For the home side Paul Smith took 4-58 and Danny Alderman 2-53.

Bridges were then dismissed for 164 of which Alderman made 51 and Sam Allborough 49 as Nomads skipper Kashif Ibrahim took 6-51.

Runs were hard to come by at East Grinstead where the home side were dismissed for just 137 in 29 overs by visiting Horsham.

Gary Kleinveldt made 47 and Will Atkin 33 as Will Beer took 4-34 and Nick Weekes 4-4 to clean up the tail.

Horsham's Will Beer takes 4-34

But Horsham then tumbled to 128 all out with Lewis Hatchett on his debut for Grinstead, taking 6-26. Sam Attfield with 30 not out was top scorer for the visitors.

Luke Wells, son of former Sussex skipper Alan Wells, cracked 124 as Brighton and Hove enjoyed a 121 run win at home to Lewes Priory. Chris Grammer added 67 and Patrick Spencer 35 not out in a total of 275 for four declared.

Lewes were then dismissed for 154 with four bowlers each taking two wickets. Chris Baker top scored with 50.

Cuckfield were dismissed for 186 at home to Haywards Heath but a late order batting collapse by the Premier newcomers gave the home side an 18 run victory.

Chris Mole made 82 in the Cuckfield total as Hayden James grabbed 5-68. James then made top score of 45, Stuart Faith hit 41 and Scott Sharma 36 as Haywards Heath tumbled to 168 all out.Nick Patterson took 4-40 and Will Somerville 4-41.

Hastings were in early trouble against Eastbourne at 89 for four but rallied to 250 for seven declared with 56 from skipper Jason Finch and 52 from teenage newcomer Fred Hulbert.

Ollie Rayner took 3-64 in 21 overs and Stuart Collier grabbed 3 for 99.Skipper Mark Tomsett led the way with 84 in the visitors run chase and Ollie Rayner made 47 but a crucial final over saw a run out from the final ball with two needed for victory and only one completed to provide a draw with the scores level. Tim van Noort took 4-64 and Mick Glazier 2-67.