Chiddingly were left to rue an early declaration as title rivals Ringmer leapfrogged them into second place in division one of the East Sussex League.

Opener Darren Howard hit 35 but it was a terrific partnership of 155 between John Grieveson (129 not out) and David Ellis (70 not out) which helped Chiddingly to an impressive total of 240-2 declared.

However, the total was not enough as visitors Ringmer went on to claim a seven wicket success.

Sent in to open as a pinch-hitter, Murray Barnett struck 68 and there were contributions from Richard Jones, Michael Turner and Dave Peacock, all in the forties, as Ringmer reached their target with ten overs to spare.

Crowhurst Park remain top after taking an impressive 20 points from a draw with Fletching.

Openers Mark Horscroft (64) and Terry Lucas (24) put on 75 for Fletching but they were indebted to a last wicket stand of 60 between Clive Horscroft (39 not out) and Trevor Brown (30) as the final total reached 156 all out. Paul Brookes was the pick of the bowlers with 5-61.

In reply, Park slumped to 55-4 before a fifth wicket stand of 78 between Paul Lindfield (54) and Darren Corke (47 not out) got the scoreboard ticking over. Two further wickets fell but Park reached maximum batting points at 218-7 thanks to an unbroken eighth wicket partnership of 54 between Laurence Coleman (34 not out) and Corke.

At the other end of the table Herstmonceux claimed their first win of the season against DPB.

James Bentley struck 56 not out as DPB posted a total of 213-4 but Herstmonceux passed that to win by four wickets thanks to 82 from debutant David White, 50 from Dave Procter and a quickfire 31 not out by skipper Mike Paige.

Ally Barnett clubbed 76 off just 54 balls to help Rye recover from 72-7 to post a total of 198 all out. After tea, Geoff Teys (54) and Brough Cooper (52) led visitors Wadhurst towards victory. However, from 172-2, they lost six wickets before eventually edging home at 199-8. Martin Blincow took 4-66 for Rye.

Miles Caldwell (56 not out) and Mike Radford (44) led Newick to 211-9 at home to Ditchling, for whom Malcolm Frodsham took 4-44. But Newick could not force victory as Ditchling held on at 151-9 in reply with Johnny Atkinson scoring 47 as Liam Craig-Davies and Tiger Jadeja shared six wickets.

Leaders Seaford won the top-of-the-table clash with Glynde in division two.

An exciting contest saw John Smith (6-46) and Paul Mason (3-28) combine to dismiss Glynde for just 104. After tea Seaford made hard work of the reply but eventually edged home at 106-9, Dale Tranter's 4-16 being the pick of the bowling.

Battle jumped into second spot after a two wicket win at home to Lewes St Michael's. Phil Adams struck 103, gaining support from Matthew Savage (41) and Steve. Thomas (31 not out), as the visitors made 260-9, Phil Harrod's 4-49 being the pick of the bowling.

Australian Rob Quiney continued his good form with a knock of 92, gaining support from Ollie West (59), as Battle reached their target with two wickets to spare.

Heathfield Park fell 15 runs short of victory at home to Iden. The visitors made 243-6 with contributions from Neil Cloute (64), Graham Tree (41 not out) and David White (40). Steve Oakes (57) and Matt Bashford (40) led a spirited reply but Heathfield closed for a draw on 229-8.

Barcombe moved up to fourth after their draw with lowly Buxted Park. Keith Savage (74) and Sanjay Patel (48) helped Barcombe post a total of 216-7 as Simon Bulteel claimed 4-46. Skipper Nick Perry struck 53 in reply but Buxted closed on 191-7, Keith Hunter picking up 3-49.

Rottingdean edged home by two wickets against St Peters. Matt Ades (6-51) and Mark Smith (4-27) bowled in tandem to dismiss St Peters for 97, Barney Douglas scoring 34. Eight wickets tumbled in reply but Ian Ritchie's 24 proved crucial as Rottingdean took maximum points.

Division three: Beaulieu 205-8 (Dave Ivins 99, Mark Underhill 4-57) lost to Hellingly 206-6 (Paul Wheatley 51, Vince Woolley 44no); Maresfield 187 (Bob Thompson 58, Bob Mayfield 44) lost to Polegate & Stone Cross 188-3 (Bob Mayfield 51, Dave Pollard 37no); Pevensey 155-6 (Mike Tingley 54) beat Little Common Ramblers 154-9 (Paul Nunney 5 wkts); Rotherfield 178 (Chris Buck 63, Matthew Hogan 5-45) lost to Pett 195 (Andy Goodsell 105, Jamie Featherbee 5-62); Tunbridge Wells Borderers 100-9 drew with Uckfield Anderida 181-9 (Peter Holman 53).

Division four: Glynde II 176-7 (Steve Pilbeam 47) drew with Dicker Butterfly 223-6 (David Hawkins 68, M. Hitchen 60); Hailsham 81 (Duncan Ford 5-15, D. Pierce 3-6) lost to Willingdon 131 (Tim Tutt 52, Paul Veiga 3-8); Ringmer II 104 (Duncan Pugh 44, Pete Tullett 4-34, Ray Wells 3-5) lost to Newhaven 105-1 (Rohan Pooley 60no, Steve Izzard 34no); Robertsbridge 233-3 (Graham Nicholls 60no, Richard Hawthorne 54no, J. Rix 52) lost to Battle II 237-8 (Graham Black 87, Alex Collier 45, Mark Steadman 4-69).

Tristan Tully ripped in with 8-15 as Withyham skittled East Dean for just 20 in an amazing Cuckmere Valley League encounter.

East Dean slumped to 10-7 from ten overs and then 20 all out in 15 as seamer Tully and Phil Adams (2-5) tore them apart. Withyham lost one wicket in reaching the target.

Another terrific clash saw Alfriston fall two runs short of victory after failing to score the necessary four runs off the final over away to Firle.

Richard Gravett hit 52 as Firle made 164 all out, with Gavin Cooper claiming 6-28. In reply, Lee Poulton (60) led Alfriston towards their target but they managed just two runs off the last over and closed on 163-9, Richard Ellinor's 3-30 being the pick of the bowling.

Leaders Selmeston were convincing winners at home to rock bottom Preston Village. Adrian Beale (45) and David Clark (40) helped Selmeston post a total of 183-9. Bill Filby (4-30) and Clark (3-29) then combined to dismiss Preston Village for 116 in reply, Phil Tolhurst top-scoring with 39.

Blackboys are up to second place after a seven wicket success at home to Bells Yew Green. The visitors made 161-7 with Chris Beasley hitting 32 but Blackboys passed that score with three overs thanks mainly to an unbeaten 84 from Nick Walters.

Nutley moved out of the bottom two after a four wicket triumph at Burwash Weald.

The home side totalled 142-9 with Malcolm McLellan scoring 34 as Grant Oliver took 4-21 and Mark Reed 3-38. Terry Sayers top-scored with 36 as Nutley eased to victory in reply.

Division two: Mayfield 301-4 (Robin Ellis 161, Louis Belcourt 47) beat Firle II 51 (Tim Hancock 5-18, Mike Horton 3-11); Bells Yew Green II lost to Laughton by 55 runs; Denton 153 (Brown 45) beat Mayfield II 108 Piper 4-13).