Derby draw hits Priory title hopes

Priory have dropped to third - 32 points behind Premier Division leaders Horsham with a game in hand - after being held to a draw at home to Eastbourne.

The visitors totalled 224-8 batting first despite two wickets each for 15-year-old Elliot Hooper, Josh Poysden and Mick Glazier. Jason Finch top-scored with 43 as Priory reached 182-7 in reply.

Bexhill continued their fine form with a nine-wicket thrashing of Ifield at The Polegrove to remain in with a chance of clinching the second promotion place from Division Two.

Shawn Johnson took 3-9 and Malcolm Johnson 3-29 as Ifield were skittled for 90 batting first. Malcolm Johnson was 40 not out and Tom Powell 30 not out as Bexhill cruised home in reply.

Although on their free week, Sidley remain top of Division Three (East) largely thanks to neighbours Crowhurst Park thrashing Lindfield by nine wickets.

Victor Walcott bagged seven wickets and Paul Brookes three to bowl out Lindfield for 116. Martin Barry then hit an undefeated 70 to finish the job. Full reports on each of these matches will appear in Friday’s Observers.

Standings - Premier Division (played 16 matches unless stated): 1 Horsham (16) 341pts, 2 Preston Nomads 321, 3 HASTINGS PRIORY 309, 4 East Grinstead (16) 300, 5 Roffey 214, 6 Brighton & Hove 187, 7 Eastbourne 187, 8 Three Bridges (14) 181, 9 Chichester Priory Park 181, 10 Pulborough 148.

Division 2 (all played 14 matches): 1 Worthing 309, 2 Glynde & Beddingham 263, 3 Haywards Heath 253, 4 BEXHILL 250, 5 Goring By Sea 239, 6 Cuckfield 236, 7 St James’s Montefiore 216, 8 Ifield 167, 9 Stirlands 162, 10 Lewes Priory 152.

Division 3 (East) (all played 14 matches): 1 SIDLEY 273pts, 2 Hellingly 266, 3 Seaford 258, 4 Lindfield 256, 5 Ansty 244, 6 CROWHURST PARK 237, 7 Burgess Hill 228, 8 Uckfield Anderida 209, 9 Keymer & Hassocks 203, 10 Crawley 168.