Sussex champions crash at Horsham
One week after clinching the Sussex Premier League title, Preston Nomads clocked their first defeat of the season, crashing to a staggering 182 run loss at Horsham.
The home side made 244 for nine declared after recovering from 76 for six. Luke Marshall hit 79, Alan Law 56 and Mark Nash 31,Carl Simon took his League wickets 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 for nine.
Simon Williamson recorded his best ever bowling figures of 8-49 to send a weakened Hastings tumbling to 75 all out of which Adam Maharaj-Newman made top score of 20.
Cullen Bailey hit 29 not out as East Grinstead cruised home at 78 for two.
Brighton and Hove continued their recent good run with a seven wicket win at home to Cuckfield. Two wins from their last two games could give Brighton the runners-up spot.
Nick Walters made top score of 38 in a Cuckfield score of 129 all out as Patrick Spencer took 6-37 and Matt Wood 3-44.
Brighton reached 130 for three with 47 from Luke wells and 35 from Chris Liddle.
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 took 5-43.
Haywards Heath will join Lewes in Division Two next season as one of the two relegated clubs after their defeat at Three Bridges. Ironically it was these two clubs who were promoted last year.
Hayden James with 76 was top scorer for Haywards Heath who were dismissed for 190 after being put in, Danny Alderman took 5-47 and Nathan Rowe 3-64.
Bridges’s two ex-Sussex men Jerry Heath and skipper Mark Newell were among the runs as the home side won by four wickets at 192 for six. Heath, on his return to first team action for the first time in five years, made top score of 68 and Mark Newell made 30.
