Crowhurst Park's relaxed attitude continued to pay dividends as they stretched their unbeaten run with a draw against fellow title-chasers Ringmer.

Wicketkeeper Laurence Coleman described the fixture as 'must not lose' rather than 'must-win' and Park had to settle for a draw to maintain the status quo at the top with their hosts remaining in third.

Park must have harboured hopes of collecting their sixth win of the season as Ringmer lost their first three wickets for two runs on a wet wicket but Simon Pugh (56) and Neil Linstrem (31) put on 77 for the fourth wicket as they were dismissed for 188.

Victor Walcott took 6-44 and skipper Paul Brookes 3-62.

In reply, Park lost their openers cheaply and decided against a run-chase, closing on 123-6 (Andy Smith 3-59).

Despite the draw, Park are still in the hunt and Coleman believes the catalyst for a change in fortunes was a meeting early in the season.

An alarming start which featured two defeats in four games prompted a dressing room heart-to-heart.

Coleman said: "It has all been about enjoyment this season since then.

"After we lost two of the first four games we all sat down together in the dressing room and had a chat. We just decided to go out and enjoy it and we have been unbeaten since.

"There was pressure on us to produce performances at the start but now we are more relaxed and all round the team people have chipped in.

"Martin Barry has batted very well, our Australian Dave Murray got a hundred the other week while Victor Walcott has been getting wickets.

"It has been an all-round team effort. With a number of regulars becoming parents, we have not had a settled side and the cross-section of those players brought in from the second team have contributed well, either getting runs or doing well in the field.

"Our strength has always been our bowling attack. Victor has been a star for us with over 100 wickets while our skipper Paul Brookes has got wickets. With the bat Barry has got more than 500 runs."

Park continue to hold title ambitions after a disappointing sixth place last season.

Coleman said: "Leaders Glynde were 40 or 50 points ahead at one stage and we have cut that to 32.

"This was a game we could not afford to lose."

Glynde and Beddingham picked up 18 points for their win over Seaford.

Seaford made 131-7 (Ian Mepham 4-30) and Glynde knocked off the runs at 137-4.

Fletching slipped up as Newick made 212-7 with Rupert Thacker (70 not out) and Greg Bell (49) top scoring in their derby clash. In reply, Fletching were dismissed for 147 as Miles Caldwell took 3-16.

Iden enjoyed an 86-run victory at Hellingly after posting 244-8 with Phil Shanks (87), Bourn (69 not out) and Chris Curd (47) contributing as Andy Wood claimed 6-85. JP Carmier (42) and James Wise (37) put on 73 for Hellingly's fifth wicket but they were bowled out for 158.

Chiddingly and Heathfield Park's match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

In division two, Herstmonceux secured their seventh win of the season as they defeated Ditchling by 70 runs to remain in top spot.

A third wicket stand of 87 between Simon Green (35) and Paul McDonald helped Herst to 171 all out but McDonald was the hero with the ball as he took a season's best 6-38 to have Ditchling all out for 101.

Tunbridge Wells Borderers won by three wickets with an over to spare at a rain-sodden Rye.

Rye made 186 with Mark Cook (59) top scoring as Chris Greenall took 5-68. In reply, Borderers edged their way home despite the efforts of Tino Brinks (3-72).

Uckfield Anderida 15-year-old Toby Margetts hit 60 in their 152 all out but in a see-saw match St Peters closed on 131-8 for the draw.

Barcombe and Battle had their respective home games with DPB and Rottingdean abandoned.