East Sussex League: Crowhurst Park opened the season with a thrilling four-wicket win over reigning champions Fletching.

A tremendous fourth-wicket partnership of 157 between Paul Lindfield (99) and Victor Walcott (56) handed victory to Park, who were runners-up to Fletching last season.

Having been inserted, Fletching set a total of 231-9 with Mark Horscroft (37) and Terry Lucas (25) putting on 78 for the first wicket and Ian Poysden (32) adding 65 for the fifth with Dave Meacher (27). Skipper Paul Brookes (4-74) was the pick of the home bowlers.

Crowhurst Park had slipped to 33-3 before Lindfield and Walcott came together. Victory was well within grasp by the time Lindfield was bowled one run short of his century and Brookes (17 not out) knocked off the remaining runs to secure victory in 34 overs.

Murray Barnett played the starring role as Ringmer began with a six-wicket win at Herstmonceux.

Paul McDonald scored a well-paced 76 for the hosts but generally it was slow progress to a total of 169 all out.

Barnett was the pick of the bowlers, with 6-57 from 21 overs, and he followed that by top-scoring with 38 as Ringmer reached their target in the 35th over. Simon Pugh added 33 not out.

Adam Davies (61) and Rob Mouland (57 not out) helped Glynde post 226-5 away to Seaford. It was Mouland's maiden half century for the first team.

In reply, James Goddard hit 61 and Chris Stanyard 38 to add to his earlier bowling figures of 3-64 but Seaford were bowled out for 202 with Dale Tranter claiming 6-49.

Stefan Ashford scored his maiden ton for Newick with an unbeaten 115 as his side made 229-6 at home to Heathfield Park. Miles Caldwell added 44.

Skipper Ian Cox smashed 83 and Kevin Noon added 49 in an opening stand of 146 but it was downhill after they departed and Heathfield eventually closed for a draw on 214-5. Newick skipper Tiger Jadeja, having just flown back from India, took 2-19 from eight overs.

Tom Carr's 5-50 from 20 overs restricted DPB (Eastbourne) to 157-8 at Chiddingly, Richard Horne top-scoring with 43.

The hosts slumped to 52-7 in reply but an eighth wicket stand of 78 between Zubin Bhettay (42) and skipper Carr (41 not out) helped them to a draw at 146-8. James Sykes (5-55) and James Bentley (3-52) bowled well for DPB.

In division two, Richard Dale scored 101 not out as St Peters won by three runs against local rivals Rottingdean.

Dale scored his ton off 79 balls, reaching the mark with a straight six, as St Peters posted 210-3 declared. He shared in stands of 78 for the second wicket with Johnny Armitage (53) and 84 for the third with skipper Matthew Knight (31).

Rottingdean went for victory with Mark Smith scoring 57, Andrew Bird 37 not out and Richard Woodley 28. With seven balls left they needed nine for victory with two wickets in hand but Knight's nerve held for St Peters, claiming the final wicket off the last ball of the match to dismiss the visitors for 207.

Promoted Lewes St Michael's suffered an emphatic defeat at home to Hellingly. Dave Pye took 6-44 to dismiss the hosts for 103 and Hellingly knocked off the runs for the loss of just two wickets thanks to Steve Hook (42 not out) and skipper Paul Wheatley (31 not out).

Relegated Wadhurst were also comprehensively beaten at Iden. The hosts made 192 all out with Michael White scoring 46 and Stuart Playford 40 as Neil Tunbridge (4-12) and Jim Harwood (4-63) sharing eight wickets. Wadhurst's reply was disastrous as they were skittled for just 49 with Paul Barnett taking 6-28 and Playford 4-16.

The other relegated side, Ditchling, were held to a draw at Barcombe. Replying to the visitors' 249-5, Barcombe closed on 211-5 thanks to a splendid 101 from Keith Savage plus 43 not out by Dave Taylor.

New skipper Jon Deverill scored an unbeaten 113 as Uckfield Anderida posted 220-4 against Battle. In reply, the visitors never really got going and settled for a draw at 156-7, Ben Ridgeway scoring 42 and Bill Mozley 36.