Billinghurst are looking to step-up into the Sussex League after winning the Invitation division one title for the first time.

Billinghurst beat relegated Goring by 74 runs on Saturday to finish 19 points above Findon, who have been champions for the last five years.

The success continues the club's meteoric rise since switching from the West Sussex League in 2001.

They gained promotion from division three as runners-up a year after joining and only went up into the top tier last season after coming second in division two.

Billingshurst want to carry on their progress and have applied to join the county's elite clubs.

Chairman Jim Burroughs said: "It is a fantastic achievement and is reward for all the hard work the players have put in over the season.

"To have won it after coming up from division two only last season is phenomenal and it has given everyone a massive boost.

"The whole place is buzzing, especially as we are moving into a new ground next year as well. We have applied to join the Sussex League and have had all the necessary inspections.

"They were happy and now we have to wait until November to see if we can take part.

"We were playing in the West Sussex League five years ago which shows how far we have come.

"The club is going from strength to strength so we are confident we would be successful."

Billinghurst clinched the title after a superb individual performance by Shane Maggs. He hit 81 as Hurst posted 189 before taking 5-36 to leave Goring all out for 115.

Burroughs added: "A lot of the first team have grown up together through the colts so they have been playing as a team for a long time.

"They have gone about this season in a very professional manner and practised very hard."

Findon finished as runners-up after beating Pagham by two wickets. The visitors were dismissed for 160 before Gary Botting hit 44 in the reply.

Ifield, who had been in title contention for much of the season, had to settle for third after going down by eight wickets at Arundel. Neil Chitty took 6-45 as Ifield were dismissed for just 116 before Mark Rasmussen (71 not out) and Joel Wiles (35 not out) put on 112 for the third wicket to lead Arundel home.

Ansty produced an impressive bowling display to cruise to an eight-wicket win over relegated Southwick. They conceded no extras as Simon Parsons claimed 6-32 to blow Southwick away for 81. Alex Janjua top scored in reply with 44 as Ansty reached their target inside 17 overs.

Keymer and Hassocks avoided relegation from division two by just one point after making a calculated but controversial declaration against Scaynes Hill, who went down as a result.

Keymer survived despite losing by nine wickets because their total of 116-5 was enough to give them two points and restrict Hill to 20 after they could only make 119-1 in reply.

Tony Chad top scored for Keymer with 49 while George Langley-Parker (64) and Paul Edwards (32 not out) put on 103 for Hill.

Barns Green were relegated after losing by 125 runs against Selsey. Chris Bailey took 6-61 to help restrict Selsey to 182-8 but Green were skittled for just 57 in reply with Adam Davis (6-9) doing the damage.

Champions Henfield rounded off their season by edging out third-placed Lindfield by one wicket. Paul De Vedamuttu hit 65 as Henfield reached a target of 193-9 with just four balls to spare.Shane Dalziel top-scored with 58 for Lindfield.

Slinfold beat Burgess Hill by four wickets after chasing down 145-8 inside 44 overs.

Lee Poulton scored 111 not out as Blackboys beat Selmeston to remain top of the Cuckmere Valley League.

However, their lead has been cut to a point with two to play after Firle claimed the maximum six points in beating their own second team, Richard Gravett scoring 98 and Richard Ellinor 77 not out.