Priory competitive in defeat

After their thrilling 11-run victory over Bexhill on the opening day of the Premier League campaign, Priory lost by five wickets away to Horsham.

Priory scored 235-8 batting first in a match played to 100 overs rules, skipper Jason Finch top-scoring with 88 and 15-year-old son Harry making 64.

Horsham, whose line-up included Sussex leg spinner Will Beer, reached their target despite three wickets for Jason Finch, and one for John Morgan and Josh Poysden.

In the same division, Bexhill's match at East Grinstead was abandoned with the visitors 33-2 in reply to 225-9. Chris Topp took five wickets and Jamie Wicks two.

Sidley made it two Division Three (East) wins out of two courtesy of a hard-fought success in a low scoring encounter away to Burgess Hill.

Steve Ramsden top-scored with 30 as Sidley recovered from 37-5 to post 139-9 batting first before Hill were all out for 115 with Peter King claiming 5-40.

Standings (played two matches unless stated) '“ Premier Division: 1 Eastbourne 42pts, 2 HASTINGS PRIORY 42, 3 Brighton & Hove 41, 4 Three Bridges 41, 5 Horsham 40, 6 East Grinstead 39, 7 Preston Nomads 37, 8 Cuckfield (3) 25, 9 BEXHILL 21, 10 Chichester Priory Park 18.

Division 3 (East): 1 SIDLEY 60pts, 2 Lindfield 60, 3 Ifield 56, 4 Burgess Hill 38, 5 Hellingly 24, 6 Seaford 23, 7 Uckfield Anderida 18, 8 Ansty 18, 9 Crawley 15, 10 Chiddingly 10.

Full reports on each of these games will appear in Friday's Observers.