East Sussex League: Fletching will be pushed all the way to defend their crown this season.

Skipper Glenn Potter believes the competition will be stronger than ever as the race for the championship unfolds.

Fletching pipped Crowhurst Park to the title last year with Ringmer finishing in third place and all three are expected to be challenging again.

Former Horsham and Wisborough Green all-rounder Ian Poysden has joined Fletching this year while promising youngsters Sam Kelly and Tom Randle have become part of the squad.

Potter said: "We have got a stronger squad this year. It is still early days but we will be disappointed if we are not up there at the end of the year.

"Crowhurst Park and Ringmer will be up there again. In Victor Walcott, Crowhurst Park have someone who can win games on his own. You can throw in Glynde as well. There is a lot more youth in these sides this year and that is why I think Glynde will do well."

Chiddingly are another team who can challenge for honours and they had Fletching in trouble on Saturday before rain prompted an abandonment.

The weather was the only winner at the weekend with all bar a handful of games either not starting or coming to a premature end.

Terry Lucas scored 36 but Fletching lost three wickets before they reached 50 at home to Chiddingly. Skipper for the day David Meacher led a revival with Andy Fitzgerald and Meacher was eventually last man out for 50 with the score on 135.

Zubin Bhettay led the way with 4-73 for the visitors while Martin Hole chipped in with 3-28. It was at this point the heavens opened and the game was abandoned.

The returning John Smith and Tim Goddard worked in tandem as Seaford bowled out Ringmer for 93.

Murray Barnett (30) was dropped twice as Ringmer reached 48 without loss by the 14th over but Goddard then joined the attack and dismissed Barnett in his second over, caught and bowled.

Wickets continued to tumble despite a knock of 24 by Simon Pugh and the bowlers were supported by some sharp fielding, notably two catches by Jamie Goddard. Smith finished with 5-50 from 22 overs while Tim Goddard returned 5-27, however, any victory hopes were scuppered by a downpour at tea.

Glynde made 141-7 with contributions from Ollie Callf (38), Adam Davies (28) and Dominic Shepheard (24) at home to Newick. Rupert Thacker took 3-24 for the visitors who did not have a chance to reply.

Heathfield Park won the toss and elected to bat against Herstmonceux but they had just 32 overs at the crease in which time they were reduced to 73-6 as Martin Menezes took (3-22) and Paul McDonald (2-20).

There was no play in the match between DPB (Eastbourne) and Crowhurst Park.