Weekend cricket preview

But captain John Haffenden admits that if they are to stay up, Bexhill must win the battle of the bottom two away to Three Bridges tomorrow (Saturday).

He said: "We want to be a Premier League side next year and that's how the mentality will stay until we're mathematically down. There are still 90 points to play for and we won't give up until it's mathematically impossible."

Bexhill are 28 points adrift of second-bottom Bridges and, more importantly, 33 behind a Cuckfield side which occupies the final safe spot of third-bottom going into the closing three games of the season.

To make matters worse, Bexhill's final two matches are away to second-placed Horsham next Saturday (August 28) and at home to leaders Preston Nomads, who are going for a third title in four years, on September 4.

Bexhill really must avenge a disappointing 57-run defeat in June's reverse fixture against Bridges when they were bowled out for 94.

"A loss or a draw is no good to us," added Haffenden. "We've got to give ourselves a fighting chance by beating the team that's closest to us."

Bexhill's batting should be bolstered by the anticipated return of Toby Finzel and Jez Reid, while Bridges' overseas player Chad Barrett, who took 6-41 including a hat-trick at The Polegrove, has missed their last five games with a broken finger.

Hastings Priory still have work to do to secure their Premier Division status ahead of their trip to local rivals Eastbourne tomorrow.

Strike bowler John Morgan said: "We're still in quite a good position, but if we were to put in a performance like we did on Saturday, we would be right back in the mire. We really need to have a good weekend against Eastbourne. Picking up 10 bonus points is the minimum requirement."

Priory are currently sixth in the 10-team division and enjoy a reasonably comfortable 33-point cushion over the two relegation places with three games remaining, but they could still do with another win to make sure.

Tim van Noort is expected to make just his second appearance of the season and Tim Eldridge is due to return with Joe Lamb unavailable and Tom Harvey on holiday. Play will get under way from 12noon at The Saffrons.

Sidley, meanwhile, will return to Division Three (East) action after their free week with a home game against third-placed Seaford. Play will get under way from 12.30pm at Gullivers.

See today's Observers for full match previews on Priory and Bexhill, and return here on Sunday morning to find out how they get on.