Iden and Battle beaten, but Rye win

Iden’s slump in form in Division One continued with a six-wicket defeat at Rottingdean after being bowled out for 130 with only Phil Shanks (41) passing 20. Mark Kitching took 3-22 with the ball, but it wasn’t enough.

Battle’s hopes of promotion from Division Two suffered another setback via a 16-run loss at home to Crowborough. Mike Gedye claimed 6-48 as Crowborough were all out for 185, but Battle were dismissed for 169 in reply despite 39 from Ben Ridgway and the 37 of Jo Carthew.

Rye provided some cheer with a much-needed four-wicket win at home to Division Two’s bottom club Herstmonceux. Sandun Dias bagged 5-27 in a Ceux total of 143-9 and then hit 62 during an opening partnership of 98 with Dan Seabrook (47).

In the same division, Robertsbridge lost by 71 runs away to Hailsham. Adam Neill took four wickets and Guy Ballard three as the hosts were all out for 173 batting first, but Bridge could muster only 102 in reply. Olly Smith top-scored with 28 at the top of the order.

There was good news in Division Four where Little Common Ramblers scraped home by one wicket against Rottingdean seconds and Pett continued their upturn in fortune with a 68-run success over Firle.

Full reports on each of these matches and all the tables will appear in Friday’s Observers.

Standings (all played 15 matches) - Division 1: 1 Willingdon 328pts, 2 Ditchling 283, 3 Barcombe 282, 4 IDEN 273, 5 Ringmer 271, 6 Heathfield Park 254, 7 Rottingdean 254, 8 Plumpton & East Chiltington 246, 9 Newick 244, 10 Chiddingly 136.

Division 2: 1 St Peters 333pts, 2 Buxted Park 313, 3 BATTLE 288, 4 RYE 277, 5 ROBERTSBRIDGE 261, 6 Hailsham 250, 7 Crowborough 250, 8 Fletching 242, 9 Pevensey 214, 10 Herstmonceux 189.