Hastings have extended their lead at the top of the Shepherd Neame Sussex Premier League to 26 points after their fifth win in six matches.

Second-placed Brighton and Hove had to play a 31-overs-a-side game against Chichester when rain delayed the start but they won off the final ball to maintain the pressure on the leaders.

Hastings raced to 251-6 at Three Bridges before declaring.

Jason Finch made 82, Andy Cornford 54 and skipper Tim Eldridge 34. Danny Alderman was the pick of the home bowlers with 3-22.

Bridges were dismissed for 185 despite 45 from Jibran Khan and 52 from David Lyndsey. Paceman Shoaib Hashami returned figures of 5-50, his best performance for Hastings, to earn his side victory by 66 runs Brighton and Hove made a relatively meagre 148-9 from 31 overs in their restricted game with Chichester as youngsters Andy Perry (43) and Stephen Ades (28) led the way. Peter Tarner took 3-36.

Chichester were dismissed off the last ball for 137. Patrick Spencer took 3-17.

There was another 31 overs a-side game at Worthing where visitors Horsham won by 62 runs.

Andrew Hodd maintained his form with the bat to make 61 and Mark Nash hit 32 in a challenging Horsham total of 208-7. Andy Stillwell took 5-40 from seven overs.

Worthing were restricted to 146-8. Danny Barton made the top score of 26 not out. Mark Nash took 3-13 and Luke Marshall 3-21 for the winners.

The game between the two bottom clubs saw St James beat Haywards Heath by three wickets.

Jason Krejza led the way in a Haywards Heath total of 173 all out. Mark Johnson took 3-23 and Russell Piper 2-18.

The home side then reached 175-7. Henry Ledden made 29 and Piper 25. Paul Havell was the pick of the Heath bowlers with 3-57.

The match between Steyning and Eastbourne was abandoned without a ball being bowled due because the ground at Steyning was saturated.