H&B moved three points above the anticipated three relegation places courtesy of a 23-18 victory at home to mid-table Horsham.

The result also cushioned the blow of the previous weekend when H&B were denied a momentous win over fourth-placed Charlton Park by a last gasp penalty.

H&B, who still have a game in hand on third-from-bottom Park House, will be certain to avoid the bottom three if they win two of their last four matches.

A full report will appear in Friday's Hastings and Bexhill Observers.

Rye Rugby Club, meanwhile, was without a game in Sussex Division One, but relegation rivals were unable to take advantage as they were edged out away to Burgess Hill.

Standings (played-points) – London Three South East: 1 Heathfield & Waldron 18-32, 2 Brighton 18-30, 3 East Grinstead 17-28, 4 Charlton Park 19-28, 5 Medway 19-20, 6 Horsham* 17-16, 7 Crowborough 18-15, 8 Folkestone 16-12, 9 HASTINGS & BEXHILL 18-9, 10 Park House** 19-6, 11 Whitstable 18-4, 12 Old Gravesendians 19-4. * 2 points deducted, ** 10 points deducted.

Sussex Division One: 1 Crawley 17-32, 2 Worthing III 19-30, 3 Uckfield 17-27, 4 Hove II 17-22, 5 Brighton II 18-20, 6 Burgess Hill 18-18, 7 Pulborough* 18-15, 8 Haywards Heath III 17-14, 9 Holbrook 17-11, 10 Seaford** 19-6, 11 RYE* 19-6, 12 Lewes II* 16-1. * 2 points deducted, ** 4 points deducted.