Captain Paul Grennan admits he is as surprised as anyone to see Southwick top of division one but insists his side can win the title for the first time in their history.

Wickers were promoted from division two as runners-up to Pulborough just last season and now find themselves 23 points clear in the top flight.

A ten-run defeat at Lindfield was their first setback in an incredible start to the season, one which even the Southwick players were not expecting.

Grennan said: "If you had told me we would be top at almost the halfway mark at the start of the season, I would have said 'no chance'.

"I don't think anyone was really expecting it. We thought we could do OK and would probably do what Broadwater did last season and finish about fourth.

"To be up there is unbelievable. We were 33 points ahead last week, which is unbelievable especially in our first season since being promoted."

So what has been the difference this season? Grennan puts it down nothing more than a good team spirit.

"We have virtually the same team as we did last year.

"In fact, a couple dropped out. I know it's a bit of a clich, but I think the reason why we have done so well is our team spirit.

"We've all been playing with each other for a while and we get on so well, which has made a difference when you have to grind out results."

Grennan insists Southwick are under no illusions how hard it will be to win the division one title.

But he does not see why they cannot break the dominance of Findon, who have won the trophy for the last four years.

He said: "The second half of the season is going to be difficult because we've still got to go and play all the top teams at their patch.

"We've always been good at home and we've generally struggled away, so when we go to the likes of Findon and Arundel it will probably decide if we can do it.

"But you never know. Anything can happen in cricket and from what I've seen in the first round of matches, I don't see why we can't do it if we keep playing like we have."

Southwick gained seven points from the loss at Lindfield after being dismissed for 156 in reply to a target of 165 all out, with Phil Weir top-scoring with 50.

The turning point of the game came when Chris Summers was dismissed on 40 from a direct hit from close to the boundary with Southwick 45 runs from victory with 14 overs to play.

The visitors never recovered after that due to the bowling of Steve Pearce, who finished with 4-30.

Findon moved up to second place following a maximum-point win over Goring. Toby Kingsbury hit 52 as Findon finished on 114-5. Nigel Waller did the damage in reply by taking 4-39 to leave Goring all out for 113.

Ifield remained just a point behind Findon after a first wicket partnership of 113 between Graeme Dean (67) and Tom Hall (52) inspired them to a nail-biting three-run win over Broadwater.

The pair helped set a target of 188-7, with Joe Middleton (4-75) taking the bowling honours. The total looked under threat as Broadwater reached 165-3 with Steve Collins (55) and Bob Reynolds (48) top scoring but they then lost their last seven batsmen in the final four overs, including three in the last over, to let Ifield clinch victory with just two balls remaining. Matt Robinson took 6-36.

Pagham claimed their first win of the season after beating last year's runners-up Arundel by eight runs. Pagham were dismissed for 103 with Neil Chitty taking 4-56 but Arundel could only manage 95 all out in reply due to the bowling of Simon Hardie (5-38).

Paul Edwards hit 102 not out and George Parker made 57 as Scaynes Hill amassed 249-2 in a draw against division two leaders Barns Green. Southgate posted 74 as Green replied with 200-7.

Keymer and Hassocks went second thanks to a three-wicket win over Henfield. Chris Crampton (52) and Tim Normington (42) helped put Henfield in control at 179-8. But Keymer made 180-7 with John Price (75) and Tony Chad (44) top scoring.

Ansty won their first game of the season in a seven-wicket demolition of Crawley. The basement club were all out for 156, which was never going to be enough as Ansty raced to 157-3 with Richard Nicols posting 58 not out.

Billingshurst made 186-8 in a draw against Crawley Eagles thanks to an opening wicket partnership of 107 between Will Gooda (48) and John Burroughs (56). Eagles held on to chalk up 155-6 in reply, despite the efforts of Jason Rigby (4-42).