Tight in the top division as they all lineup to have a pop at leaders Poynings

Early signs suggest the race for the Division 1 title is going to be tight this season.

Only three matches in and no team is without an unblemished record.

Poynings are top after securing their second success. Gary Wallis-Tayler (65) led them to a five-wicket win at Crawley Down, for whom Warren Barker (66) dominated their innings as Richard Brookes and Andy Beal took four wickets apiece.

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Poynings have a handy 12-point lead but after that things are close, with Balcombe second despite being held to a draw at Palmers, where Gary Botting (52) helped them set a target of 226-9 before the hosts replied with 167-8.

Champions Ashdown Forest were also denied victory despite Leif Powis and Stefan Gooch both hitting centuries in a total of 261-5 achieved in only 42.2 overs against visitors Streat, who put them in. For Gooch it was a maiden league ton. Streat responded with 172-7.

There were superb alround displays by Steve Medhurst and Geeth Withanagamage as Colemans Hatch opened their account by winning away to Preston Nomads III, where they chased a big score of 261-8 set by Stephen Oliver (91) and Arosh Fernandopulle (76no). Medhurst followed up his 4-84 with an undefeated 98, while Withanagamage took 3-38 and then struck 59.

The game at the Hospital was cancelled and that leaves St Francis cast adrift at the bottom.

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Bolney still head Division 2 despite tasting defeat for the first time when comprehensively beaten at home by a Horsted Keynes team inspired by Stewart Fuller. He took 3-41 as the hosts were bowled out for 152 and then struck an unbeaten 91 to complete an eight-wicket win. James Fuller took 4-49.

East Grinstead are second after they took full points at Smallfield, where Henry Groves (4-19) and Tim Wilson (56) were the stars.

The other winners in this division were Dormansland (Michael Phillips 5-48) and Chailey (Danny Andrews 78no, Vikram Kant 5-53).

Cowden head Division 3 after an eight-wicket win at Roffey III, where the stars were Gordon Hancock (75no) and Tim Reddick (3-18 and 61).

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Shane Wilson-Yelverton was an unlucky loser after hitting 80 in their total of 138 at home to Turners Hill and the same could be said of Ben Hopkins as he made 64 for Burgess Hill III at Copthorne.

Another unlucky loser was Stewart Hornby (80). He made the highest score in Division 4, but Ben Porter (5-44) set up a win for Edenbridge II.

Talat Malik carried his bat for 35 as SJM III edged past a meagre Cuckfield IV total of 107-7 with just one wicket left.

There were two tons in Division 5 as Toby Glenn hit an unbeaten 121 for Horsted Keynes II and John Dransfield 114 for Balcombe III. Best bowling came from Jon Burgh (5-19 for Ardingly II) and Jordan Munday (5-27 for Ansty III).