VIDEO: Derby ebbs and flow

Burgess Hill opted for first strike on a flat pitch and made a solid start before a change of ends helped bring a change of fortunes for Tom Hadfield and Jack Palser.

But at 47-3 Ian Simpson (53)and Karl Boffey (68no) joined forces for a stand of 93 wickets fell more cheaply in the search for late runs.

Ansty were left to chase a target of 217-8 and made a tentative start before Harry Towler failed to make the most of an early chance as he was caught behind off the bowling of Hugh Warmisham.

Jon Young also survived an early chance but he made the most of it and went on to score 60 before Jack Simpson removed him leg before.

But at 116-3 Ansty were probably just ahead of the game and then Leo Anderson (42) and Dan Belfort (35) took them close before an incredible seven-ball 25 not out by Dominic Stone completed a six-wicket win with six overs to spare.

Haywards Heath went second with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Rottingdean that featured two 1st XI league best performances by David Everett and Jonny Phelps. Everett took 5-32 and Phelps made 68.

At the midway point of the season it is looking good for Mid Sussex clubs, with Lindfield still top after completing their sixth win.

It was the division whipping boys Lewes who were the latest victims as Shane Wilson-Yelverton’s unbeaten 51 completed an easy eight-wicket win after the visiting batsmen had struggled against the Wilson-Yelvertons, Matt and Shane, and Steve Pearce (4-28).

Keymer & Hassocks suffered a 41-run defeat at home to Hellingly despite Joe Isted carrying his bat for 50. James Pooley top scored in Hellingly’s 159 before Adam Devlin grabbed 6-24.

Over in the West, Henfield improved their lot with a 55-run victory over Slinfold that featured 98 from Adam Scott and some penetrating bowling by Brighton Mugochi (5-43). Steve Haines (54) and Guy Thorne (4-78) were unlucky losers.

Hassocks 2nds lost a classic game by six wickets to Crawley Eagles despite making 213-8 in 2.4 overs short of their allocation.

Ross Watkins made 70 and Lawrence Hannam 67 as Aamir returned 5-83 in 17.2 overs.

A weakened Hassocks attack were then put to the sword by Rahman (76) and Khan (66) as Eagles completed an easy win with 11.5 overs to spare. James Pitt finished with 2-36.

Ansty earned the bragging rights in the 2nd XI derby clash with Burgess Hill, winning by seven wickets, and an unbeaten 101 by Joe Newcombe carried Lindfield to 233-3 before David Whear (4-12) helped rush out hapless Lewes for just 31.

Cuckfield had to call off their 2nd XI match at Goring when a car containing three of their players was involved in a bad accident on the A24 en route to the game.

Club spokesman Tom Mole said: “Both cars were a write-off but thankfully everyone was fine although they had to go to hospital for precautionary checks.”

St James’s 2nds lost by five wickets despite J Taylor making 84 in a formidable total of 250-8 against Roffey.

Tom Paine (69) and richard Dale (59) helped Henfield II to victory.