Priory edge ahead after fourth win

A 42-run victory away to Brighton & Hove on Saturday has given Priory a two-point cushion over reigning champions Preston Nomads having accumulated maximum points so far.

Adam Maharaj-Newman scored 111 and Jason Finch 63 as Priory totalled 273 batting first before Finch’s son Harry took 3-25, and John Morgan, Josh Poysden and Mick Glazier two wickets each in Brighton’s reply of 231.

Elsewhere, Bexhill’s match at home to Lewes Priory in Division Two was abandoned in the 37th over after Bexhill player Jamie Bristow-Diamond helped save the life of Lewes batsman David Tungate.

The teenage Tungate had stopped breathing after being struck by the ball. Lewes were 77-5 at the time having earlier been 16-5 with Mark Steketee bagging two wickets, and Shawn Johnson, Jamie Wicks and Chris Topp one.

Sidley have been knocked off the top of Division Three (East) after suffering a 55-run defeat at Lindfield. Paul Swannell claimed 4-67 in Lindfield’s 219-7 and Paul Nice top-scored with 60 as Sidley were all out for 164.

Crowhurst Park were hammered by 216 runs at home to Seaford in the same division. Paul Brookes took 3-78 in Seaford’s 285-8 before Park were skittled for 69 with Brookes (21) the only man to score more than 10.

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

Standings (played four matches unless stated) - Premier Division: 1 HASTINGS PRIORY 120pts, 2 Preston Nomads 118, 3 Horsham 94, 4 East Grinstead 82, 5 Eastbourne 81, 6 Brighton & Hove 63, 7 Chichester Priory Park (5) 63, 8 Roffey 62, 9 Pulborough 27, 10 Three Bridges 24.

Division 2: 1 St James’s Montefiore 100, 2 Cuckfield 99, 3 Worthing 84, 4 Goring By Sea 81, 5 Haywards Heath 76, 6 Ifield 60, 7 Glynde & Beddingham 59, 8 BEXHILL 58, 9 Lewes Priory 34, 10 Stirlands 15.

Division 3 (East): 1 Burgess Hill 83, 2 Lindfield 80, 3 SIDLEY 78, 4 Uckfield Anderida 78, 5 CROWHURST PARK 73, 6 Seaford 73, 7 Hellingly 64, 8 Ansty 57, 9 Keymer & Hassocks 57, 10 Crawley 56.