Skipper John Lord is cautiously optimistic his Eastbourne side can mount a title challenge after they kept on the heels of the top two with their fourth win of the season.

A convincing 147-run victory over Three Bridges kept Eastbourne in third and only nine points cover them and Chichester and Brighton at the premier league's summit.

Lord said: "We are going well but there are plenty of hard games to come and we intend to take them one at a time.

"Our batting is much stronger this year with Sean Heather joining us and our emerging young players are all a year older and benefitting from their greater experience.

"We now have a strong all-round side. Some clubs rely on two or three players but everyone is contributing in our efforts.

"It was a shock to get rolled over in our first game at Brighton but we've come back well and we will be a different side when we meet them again.

"I am quite pleased at the moment without going overboard."

Eastbourne will know more about their chances after some big forthcoming fixtures.

The top two meet for the first time at Brighton a week on Saturday.

A week later Brighton visit Eastbourne.

Eastbourne made 244-6 declared at home to Bridges with Heather (79) and Mark Tomsett (52 not out) top scoring. Bridges were dismissed for 97 as Paul Hacker grabbed 6-24.

Brighton made 248-4 declared from 39 overs at home to St James.

Rob Wakeford hit 84 from 49 balls and shared a third-wicket stand of 138 with Andy Cornford (106).

St James lost by 30 runs despite recovering from 48-6.

Simon Warrinder (65) and Ragher Aga (42), who was ill and unable to field, rallied the lower order as Matt Wood took 4-30.

Brighton skipper Patrick Spencer said: "We batted very well and it was important to score quickly to give ourselves time to bowl them out on a flat pitch.

"We are pleased with our bowlers.

"We have a half-decent attack and they are doing well."

Pakistani fast bowler Fazal-e-Akbar continued his fine form for Chichester with 5-59 as visitors Lewes Priory were dismissed for 157 (Craig Primmer 3-24).

James Cruickshank (56) top scored for Lewes before Chichester eased to a seven-wicket win with Jez Goode leading the way with an unbeaten 63.

East Grinstead and visitors Hastings had a high scoring draw.

Grinstead cracked 275-7 with Zimbabwean 'outcast' Neil Ferreira making 71, Alex Edwards 44 and James Atkin 41 while, for Hastings, the left arm spin of Mike Glazier was rewarded with 4-85.

Hastings replied with 229-9 as James Hancock hit 67 and Toby Finzell 42.

The wickets were shared between James Atkin (3-33), Alex Edwards (2-52) and Neil Turk (2-56).

Horsham recovered from a dreadful start to beat Steyning by 88 runs at Cricketfield Road.

The hosts were 30-4 but skipper Luke Marshall struck 103 from 107 balls and Craig Gallagher made 81, including 12 fours and a six, as the pair shared a fifth-wicket stand of 158 as they lifted the score to a more respectable 258-9 declared.

David Mates took 4-49 and Jason Voros 4-75 but young spinner Conrad Mumby was expensive as his five overs went for 50 runs.

Steyning were dismissed for 170 as Andrew Simmonds (34) top scored against accurate bowling by Mark Nash (5-40) and Carl Hopkinson (3-37).