Lancing Manor blew the chance to go top of division one after going down to a home defeat against Three Bridges III.

With leaders West Chiltington having a free week, it was the perfect chance for second placed Manor to make up ground but the 12 points gained only reduced the gap at the top to two points.

Najeeb Rahman (45) posed the biggest threat for Bridges, who were restricted to 195-9 after some tight bowing by Neil Reynolds (3-32).

It proved enough as Manor could only muster 172-8 in reply with Gary Mason top scoring with 49. Shaun Alborough (5-27) was the best bowler.

Third placed Ram edged closer to the two front-runners after a maximum points win at home against St Matthias. Rakesh (75 not out) and Tarun (47) were the main stars with the bat in a total of 261-8. Stuart Bachelor (60) and John Adams (40 not out) almost staged a comeback in reply, but the bowling of Viren (4-27) kept Saints down to 200-8.

An incredible unbeaten double century by Ashan Raja gave Crawley Eagles III a comfortable home win over Middleton. He amassed 209 not out to help Eagles post 316-3, which a shell-shocked Middleton had no reply to as they slumped to 110 all out. Kamran Malik was the most successful of the Eagles bowlers with figures of 4-6.

Brighton Insurance inflicted another defeat on rock-bottom Shoreham thanks to an impressive century by Grant Morrish (128). His knock was supported well by Andrew Saville (56 not out) to help Insurance set a target of 292-6.

Chris Ward (56) did his best to try and inspire the chase, but tight bowling by Neil Perry (4-16) left Shoreham all out for 142.

An undefeated knock by Ted Elsey (61 not out) helped Three Bridges IV ease to a maximum points home win over Chichester Priory III. Bridges raced to 254-7, despite some economical bowling by David Denton (3-48), and it proved sufficient as Priory were all out for 141 in reply. Chris Barrett hit 67 for the visitors, while Mark McNeile picked up 4-29 for Bridges.

Division Two: Brighton Electricity 140-6 (30pts, D. Taylor 3-28), West Blachington II 137 (7pts, B. Hassell 3-25); Ifield IIIA 295-5 (30pts, Z. Khan 110), Three Bridges V 126 (7pts, M. Lakhani 42, Iffty Khan 7-26); Kemp Town Belgrave 211-5 (30pts, P. Mani 50, D. Whitney 42, M. Duddy 5-40), Amberley 198 (9pts, P. Mani 4-30, D. Whitney 3-44, M. Duddy 52, K. Dalmon 41); Partridge Green 125-3 (30pts, R. Moules 53 not out, L. Courtnege 37 not out), Ram II 124 (4pts, R. Moules 4-46); Petworth Park 40 (5pts, N. Collier 3-14), Aldwick 275-5 (30pts, C. Redman 61, D. Edwards 75).

Division Three: Aldwick II 143 (6pts), Littlehampton, Clapham & Patching IV 144-3 (30pts); Revelation 101 (11pts, T. Lee 50, D. Horne 5-35), Arundel III 144 (24pts, M. Springer 35, N. Jackson 40, T. Lee 4-30); Rosehill Taverners 215-8 (26pts, H. Harden 76), Lancing Manor II 212-6 (14pts, Murray 61, Long 53); Southwick III 208-2 (26pts, J. Fitzsimons 83 not out, P. Whitehead 63), Ifield IIIB 204-6 (11pts, P. Dean 47, R. Kent 57); Worthing Chippingdale III conceded (0pts), Worthing IV walkover (30pts).