Southwick lost their relegation battle with Burgess Hill, but are vowing to beat the drop from division one.

Wickers, now second bottom, batted first and made 179-6 after useful knocks from opener Nick King (41) and No.3 Martyn Rea (38).

Hill eased home on 181-6, after an opening stand of 83 between Paul Edwards (50) and Chris Handasyde (57). Southwick bowler Paul Grennan took 4-68.

Wickers skipper Mark O'Keefe said: "We know it's going to be a struggle to stay up but we are fighting.

"The middle order didn't contribute enough against Burgess Hill, myself included. We got off to a good start but were 20 runs short."

Burgess Hill are now 28 points ahead of Southwick and skipper Edwards has targeted a top five spot for his team, who were champions three years ago.

He said: "It was an important win but they pushed us all the way. They kept going and we only won with eight balls to spare.

"The result puts some daylight between us and Southwick and if we can continue to be positive, I am sure we can move up the league. At the moment we can't complain at our plight because we haven't played good enough cricket."

The top three stay the same after winning on Saturday.

Arundel enjoyed a 105-run triumph at home to Clymping.

They batted first and made 200-7, thanks to a third-wicket partnership of 103 between Ryan Chitty (70) and Aussie Richard Thompson (76).

They are great pals. Chitty, 19, stayed with Thompson in Australia during the winter. Now the Chitty family have returned the favour and are accommodating Thompson.

Dad Neil took 4-17 as Clymping were dismissed for 96. He said: "Thommo and Ryan played really well. Ryan played the best I have seen him, he took the attack to them. He was only run out by a freak throw from the boundary by Gareth Challen."

Arundel's next games are against Lindfield, Burgess Hill and Eastergate and Chitty hopes Findon and Pagham slip up.

He said: "We'll try and stay in touch and then it's down to what the others do. We need Findon to drop points which is looking unlikely."

Champions Findon remain unbeaten and are on course for their fifth title in seven years after a 104-run win at home to last season's runners-up Eastergate.

Findon won the toss, batted first and amassed 218-4, thanks to Toby Kingsbury (71 not out) and Graham Waller (59). C. Edwards took 4-75.

In reply, bottom side Eastgate were dismissed for 114. Jim Berry top scored with 39, James Iago took 5-42.

That takes Kingsbury past the 350-run mark this term and leaves his average on a healthy 60.

He said: "It's the best season I've had with the bat but I rode my luck. I was dropped on 43.

"We don't have a match this weekend so we will be watching with interest to see how the other sides do.

"They are keeping the pressure on us but we are still confident we can win the title."

Pagham stay second after their third successive win, a four-wicket victory at home to Lindfield.

The visitors batted first and totalled 170-8. Steve Pearce top scored with 44, while leg spinner Sean Rutter, 15, bowled well.

Pagham were 120-1 but slumped to 171-6. Phil Harris was unbeaten on 91 and enjoyed a fruitful second-wicket partnership with Dave Leaver (30). Neil Pedley took 4-35 for Lindfield.

Home skipper Craig Primmer was pleased with victory but warned against complacency that cost his side five late wickets.

He said: "We fell away a bit and let them back into the hunt. They were pretty negative and only got 170 on a great batting track."

Primmer hopes Lindfield can take some points from rivals Arundel next week.

He said: "They held Findon to a draw and you can see why. Not many of their batsmen look as though they can get a lot of runs but they are stubborn to get out."

Graham Page, of Lindfield, said: "We were second best. They bowled well and we were always behind the run rate. From what I have seen, Findon have a better side and a lot more ammunition but Pagham will come second."