Priory stay top despite defeat

Priory lost by 67 runs away to Roffey, but they got away with it to an extent because rivals Preston Nomads were stunned by relegation-threatened Pulborough.

It all means that Priory are four points clear of second-placed Horsham, who have played an extra game, and five ahead of third-placed Nomads.

Roffey made 256-5 after being put in on a wet wicket with John Morgan taking three wickets and Josh Poysden two. Priory were all out for 189 in reply with Dave Draper hitting 49, Max Finzel 42 and Jason Finch 40.

Bexhill pulled off a thrilling and improbable victory away to Haywards Heath in Division Two thanks to scoring 16 from the final over.

Chris Topp claimed three wickets as Heath totalled 242-6 batting first, and Bexhill were struggling at 40-5 and 114-7 in reply until Tim Hambridge (70) and Mark Steketee (88 not out) took them home.

Sidley remain top of Division Three (East) after a remarkable tie away to title rivals Seaford. The hosts made 140-9 batting first and Sidley were 140 all out in reply after Steve Ramsden was run out off the final ball. Paul Swannell was left stranded on 45.

Crowhurst Park completed the double over Ansty in the same division. Victor Walcott bagged five wickets as Ansty were restricted to 162-9 batting first and Park prevailed by two wickets thanks largely to Martin Barry’s 79.

Standings (played 11 matches unless stated) - Premier Division: 1 HASTINGS PRIORY 247pts, 2 Horsham (12) 243, 3 Preston Nomads 242, 4 East Grinstead 206, 5 Roffey (12) 192, 6 Brighton & Hove 164, 7 Three Bridges 160, 8 Pulborough (12) 133, 9 Eastbourne 131, 10 Chichester Priory Park 127.

Division 2: 1 Worthing 264, 2 Haywards Heath (10) 202, 3 Glynde & Beddingham (10) 200, 4 Goring By Sea 190, 5 Cuckfield (10) 189, 6 BEXHILL 180, 7 St James’s Montefiore 174, 8 Ifield 132, 9 Lewes Priory 128, 10 Stirlands (10) 99.

Division 3 (East): 1 SIDLEY 223, 2 Hellingly 219, 3 Seaford (10) 202, 4 Burgess Hill 186, 5 Lindfield (10) 186, 6 Uckfield Anderida (10) 179, 7 CROWHURST PARK (10) 174, 8 Ansty (10) 160, 9 Keymer & Hassocks 135, 10 Crawley (10) 119.