Table-topping Priory triumph again

Priory triumphed by six wickets at home to East Grinstead, for whom Matthew Sugg hit 156 in a total of 229 batting first at Horntye Park Sports Complex.

Josh Poysden took 4-73, and there were two wickets each for fellow spinners Mick Glazier and Jason Finch. Adam Maharaj-Newman and Harry Finch both struck 89 in reply, while Dave Draper saw Priory home with 25 not out.

Bexhill had a close-fought draw away to Glynde & Beddingham in Division Two. Jack Richardson made an unbeaten 75 as Bexhill totalled 233-7 batting first and Glynde reached 220-8 in reply with Chris Topp taking 4-44.

Sidley went top of Division Three (East) courtesy of a six-wicket victory at home to Crawley. Paul Swannell bagged 5-57, Chris Deeprose 3-17 and Neil Priddy 2-44 as Crawley were dismissed for 181 batting first. Sidley then knocked off the runs thanks largely to Swannell (47), John Haffenden (41) and Priddy (37 not out).

Crowhurst Park suffered their first defeat in the same division away to a Burgess Hill side which totalled 271-6 batting first despite Bradley Payne picking up 3-67. Nick Taylor top-scored with 41 and Victor Walcott hit 37 as Park were all out for 172 in reply.

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

Standings (played three matches unless stated) - Premier Division: 1 HASTINGS PRIORY 90pts, 2 Preston Nomads 90, 3 Horsham 64, 4 Eastbourne 57, 5 Roffey 53, 6 East Grinstead 52, 7 Chichester Priory Park (4) 50, 8 Brighton & Hove 48, 9 Three Bridges 20, 10 Pulborough 17.

Division 2: 1 Haywards Heath 74, 2 Worthing 74, 3 Cuckfield 73, 4 St James’s Montefiore 70, 5 Goring By Sea 51, 6 BEXHILL 48, 7 Glynde & Beddingham 47, 8 Ifield 36, 9 Lewes Priory 24, 10 Stirlands 5.

Division 3 (East): 1 SIDLEY 71, 2 CROWHURST PARK 65, 3 Burgess Hill 61, 4 Hellingly 60, 5 Lindfield 50, 6 Uckfield Anderida 50, 7 Keymer & Hassocks 47, 8 Crawley 43, 9 Seaford 43, 10 Ansty 27.