Derby win keeps Priory top

Priory were all out for 179 having been asked to bat at The Saffrons. Harry Finch top-scored with 30 but an eighth wicket stand of 48 between Josh Poysden (25) and Joynal Ahmed (22) was to prove vital in the final countdown.

Eastbourne started disastrously in reply and never recovered as they were bowled out for 140. Kirk Wernars took 3-41 and Poysden 3-15.

In Division Two, Bexhill won by two wickets away to Ifield. Jamie Wicks took 3-59 and Mark Steketee 2-44 as Ifield totalled 193-8 batting first before the in-form Tim Hambridge spearheaded Bexhill’s run chase with 81.

Sidley went back to the top of Division Three (East) after winning by 69 runs at Keymer & Hassocks. Richard Harrison top-scored with 46 in Sidley’s 187 and Paul Swannell bagged 7-57 in Keymer’s 118.

Full reports on each of these matches will appear in Friday’s Observers.

Standings (played six matches unless stated) - Premier Division: 1 HASTINGS PRIORY 163pts, 2 Preston Nomads 153, 3 Horsham 148, 4 East Grinstead 138, 5 Roffey 104, 6 Brighton & Hove (7) 96, 7 Eastbourne 92, 8 Chichester Priory Park (7) 72, 9 Three Bridges 68, 10 Pulborough (7) 58.

Division 2: 1 Worthing 142, 2 Cuckfield 136, 3 St James’s Montefiore 128, 4 Haywards Heath 126, 5 Glynde & Beddingham 119, 6 BEXHILL 97, 7 Goring By Sea 97, 8 Ifield 81, 9 Stirlands 57, 10 Lewes Priory 49.

Division 3 (East): 1 SIDLEY 136, 2 Burgess Hill 124, 3 Seaford 116, 4 Lindfield (5) 110, 5 Hellingly 103, 6 Crowhurst Park (5) 84, 7 Ansty (5) 81, 8 Uckfield Anderida (5) 80, 9 Crawley 77, 10 Keymer & Hassocks 75.