Iden reach cricket league summit

The village club moved three points clear of Ditchling at the top of the Division One standings on the back of a four-wicket victory over Heathfield Park on Saturday.

Neil Pearce took 3-7, and Robin Mayes, David White and Mark Kitching each claimed two wickets as Heathfield were all out for 140 batting first. Phil Shanks then hit an unbeaten 71 to see Iden home.

Battle went second in Division Two courtesy of a six-wicket win at Pevensey. Ben Ridgway and Joe Carthew bagged three wickets each to dismiss the opposition for 141, and Ridgway spearheaded the run chase with 49.

Rye dropped to third after an agonising draw away to leaders Buxted Park. Rye made 187 batting first thanks to 98 from Sandun Dias and Buxted finished their reply on 118-9 with three wickets apiece for Dias and Gary Willis.

Also in Division Two, Robertsbridge slumped to a 30-run loss at Pevensey. James Pexton picked up three wickets to knock over the hosts for 115, but Robertsbridge slumped to 85 all out in reply despite Richard Hawthorne’s 45.

Little Common Ramblers scraped home by one wicket against Newick seconds in Division Four and suffered a 114-run drubbing at the hands of Lewes St Michaels.

Full reports will appear in Friday’s Observers.