Brighton and Hove are the early leaders of the Sussex Premier League after enjoying their third win in four with a comfortable 76-run margin against bottom club Lewes Priory.

With Horsham having a blank week due to the county game, Brighton have managed to open up a 32-point gap at the top.

Eastbourne, under new skipper John Lord, are now second after their home victory against Chichester.

Brighton and Hove had things very much their own way against Lewes after winning the toss and racing to 225-2 declared from just 46 overs.

Chris Grammer started the run glut before being out for 53, then Kevin Innes and Andy Cornford stamped their mark on the game with a convincing unfinished third wicket stand to allow the early declaration.

Sussex player Innes, on his first appearance for the club, hit 79 not out and Cornford made an unbeaten 60. The visitors were then dismissed for 149.

There was a low scoring game at the Saffrons where Eastbourne were dismissed for just 112 at home to Chichester who then crashed to 82 all out.

Martyn Garnett was top scorer for Eastbourne with 33 while Pakistani Fazal-e-Akbar took 4-26 for Chichester.

Stuart Collier claimed 4-24 when Chi replied.

Eastbourne skipper Lord, who has taken over from Paul Stevens, said: "Some people have criticised the newly laid pitches at the Saffrons but the pitch had nothing to do with the low scores.

"The bowling of both teams was far superior to the batting.

"Our bowlers were faced with a low total to defend but they attacked from the start. It was a good performance in the field.

"We have come back well from our embarrassing defeat at Brighton on the first day of the season."

Runs were hard to come by at Steyning where East Grinstead, after winning the toss, struggled to 163-8 declared from 58 overs.

The home side found it even more difficult and reached stumps at 151-9, 13 short of victory but with just one wicket left.

Jason Voros hit 57 not out for Steyning while skipper Alex Edwards (37 and 3-42) stood out for Grinstead.

The highest scoring game of the day was at St James's Montefiore where the home side won by three wickets against Three Bridges.

In a Three Bridges total of 225 all out skipper Mark Newell hit 103 while Sussex newcomer and England under-19 cap Luke Wright claimed 5-37.

The home side then reached 226-7 as Kenyan Ragi Aga led the way with 76 and Wright added 46.

St James' Sam Chettlebrough said: "Luke Wright was distinctly slippery with the ball.

"He batted well too, so it was good to get our first win against a good Three Bridges side and we need to move on from here to stabilise our premier division status."

In division two, Cuckfield head the table following a nine-wicket win at Roffey but Littlehampton kept up the pressure after a seven-wicket success at Sidley.

Roffey were bowled out for just 97 by Cuckfield as Tim Power (4-9) and Tim Mole (3-22) ripped in.

Skipper Chris Mole then cracked 42 to help his side to a winning score of 94-1 from only 21 overs.

Gary Tester shone with 5-34 as Littlehampton dismissed Sidley for just 84 to set up victory.

Preston Nomads had a convincing 162-run victory at Stirlands. Hugo Shephard led the way for Nomads with 86, skipper Will Davis hit 61 and 16-year-old Joe Gatting made 50.

In reply, Stirlands were bowled out for 97 with Kashif Ibrahim (5-22) proving too much for the home batsmen.

Ben Shelford (108) scored his first league century as Worthing, relegated from the premier division last season, enjoyed their first win of the summer by a comfortable 94 runs at Haywards Heath.

John Kaye (42), Andy Lutwyche (27 not out and 5-25) and Chris Mansell (4-26) all played a part in the win.

Skipper Ashley Clarke led the way with 113 not out and Jody Healey hit 78 as league newcomers Pulborough recorded their first win at the expense of Bexhill. Steve Phillimore hit 58 for the visitors.