Tight at the top in Sussex

Horsham's Will Beer

Just 15 points now separate the top four teams in the Sussex Premier League after leaders Hastings and Eastbourne upped the ante with resounding victories at home while Preston Nomads, in fourth place managed a winning draw

Eastbourne and Preston Nomads both have to play the Sussex Development XI and have already had their scheduled free dates so they effectively have two games in hand over Hastings and third placed Cuckfield.

The bottom two clubs Brighton and Hove and Chichester both won on Saturday, Chichester at home to Horsham who have slumped somewhat towards the lower reaches of the table.

Hastings rattled up 303 for three declared after being put in by Three Bridges at Horntye Park. James Beeny (148) and Richard Young (95 not out) shared a second wicket stand of 204 to set a formidable target with Danny Alderman (2-68) the pick of the visiting bowlers.

Australian all-rounder Michael Shaw then made 104 for the visitors but he lacked support and Three Bridges were dismissed for 189 from 40.5 overs. Left arm spinner Mick Glazier was in the wickets once more taking 7-87 in 16.5 overs to add to his 6-64 against Chichester in May. Glazier now has 26 League wickets from 13 games, just two behind Chris Morris who took 2-36.

Eastbourne were missing two of their young professionals Rageh Aga and Ollie Rayner who were helping Sussex to victory but they still managed a convincing 80-run victory at home to Cuckfield.

Stuart Faith led the way with 59 while Martin Garnett made 54 not out and Mark Tomsett 49 to take Eastbourne to 225 for six declared.

Cuckfield were then dismissed for 145 as Richard Smith took 3-14, Londis Lewis 3-48 and Stuart Faith 2-25. For the visitors, James Thorpe made 34 and Chris Mole 27.

There was a high scoring draw at Preston Nomads where the home side finished 25 runs short of victory at home to East Grinstead.

Alex Edwards (65) and Tim Wilson (50) shared a century opening stand but there was more to come as Indian international Dinesh Mongia posted another half century and former England and Sussex batsman Alan Wells made 42 not out. Matt Kleinveldt also chipped in with 38 as the visitors reached 267 for four declared with Kashif Ibrahim finishing with 3-70.

Nomads lost early wickets but some positive batting from Hugo Shepherd (86 not out), Jeremy Green (56) and Aaron Phillips (52) edged them towards their target. In the end however, the task proved too tough leaving Mongia with forgettable figures of 1-106 from 26 overs and three run-outs blighting the scorecard.

There was a shock result at Chichester where the home side made 278 for seven at home to Horsham after being put in. Aussie Tim Bishop hit 149 and Mark Bamford made 50 as young spinners Will Beer took 4-102 and Andrew Thornely 4-48.

Michael Thornely then made 96 as Horsham were dismissed for 240 with James Stedman taking 6-69 and Matt Geffen 2-61.

Brighton and Hove won the relegation battle with Stirlands by 58 runs after batting first and making 192 all out. Top scorer was Chris Liddle who batting at number eight made 36, as Nathan Ball took 3-47.

Stirlands then tumbled to 134 all out with Sean Heather making 38 as Matt Wood, returning from injury, took 4-31 and Julian Stevenson grabbed 3-22.