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Hastings skipper Jason Finch slammed his side's batting as pathetic after they crashed to a 176-run defeat to Preston Nomads at Fulking.

Nomads' Nick Hobbs grabbed five wickets as his side bounced back from their heavy defeat on the opening Saturday at Eastbourne after posting a formidable 298-6 in which Michael Gould (67) and skipper Kashif Ibrahim (61) top scored. Mick Glazier took 3-81.

Hobbs, who ripped the heart out of the Priory batting with 5-58 as Adam Maraj-Newman (35) top scored, said: "I was pleased with both the team's and my own performance. I bowled a good straight line and got great support.

"If we continue to play like that we have the potential to win the league and after our disappointment at Eastbourne last week it was great to get back to what we know we can do."

An unhappy Finch said: "Our batting was pathetic. We have too many still away at college and we need to get them back quickly if we are to make a sensible score in any game.

"It was always going to be tough as Nomads have a side capable of winning the league and we've not got our overseas player yet. We will be much better in the second half of the season."

Three Bridges enjoyed a surprise home win against Eastbourne after overhauling the visitors' 252-4 in which Mark Tomsett smacked 153 not out and Jack Hepburn 54.

Bridges skipper Mark Newell (53), Danny Alderman (54) and Sam Allborough (40 not out) to take the home side to victory at 252-5.

Brighton and Hove made 261 with tail-enders George Ledden (51 not out) and Matt Wood (43 not out) adding to 65 from Tim Jarvis. Cuckfield Aussie leg-spinner Jason Shelford took 6-74.

The hosts slow over rate cost them two points but they earned a draw as they reached 224-7 with John Walter (44) and Peter Widdup (44) the top batsmen as Matt Wood took 3-42.

Horsham were frustrated by the East Grinstead lower order after making 228-8 with Michael Thornely (97) and Luke Marshall (54) their mainstays as Craig Fowle grabbed 3-74.

Grinstead skipper Steve Greig hit 37 but Horsham had an unsuccessful four overs at the last pair who held on despite Will Beer's 4-73.

Stirlands amassed 296-7 (Max Barson 53, Anthony Elder 61) as Mark Bamford took 3-31 and Chichester hung on for a draw at 169-9 as David Leaver (68) led the reply.

Lewes Priory are the early leaders of division two.

Lewes amassed 224-8 against Haywards Heath with Simon Allen (66 not out) and Tom Sharpe (39 not out) leading the way as seam bowler John Davies grabbed 3-35.

The visitors won in a tight finish by just two wickets as skipper Steve Kingcome (64) and Tom Dowdall (42) led the chase. John Aspin took 4-51.

Worthing veteran John Kaye hit a maiden league century to help his side to a seven-wicket win against Sidley.

Sidley made 243-9 with 73 from Elliot Bullock as Kyle Bowes took 4-67. Kaye cracked 121 not out and Ollie Rogers made 71 in Worthing's 244-3 from only 39 overs.

Littlehampton had a seven-wicket victory over visitors St James after dismissing them for 171 as Aussie Angus Webster took 4-41. Lewis Hatchett (50) was Saints' top scorer. Webster (50) and skipper Benn Challen (59) steered Littlehampton home.

Steyning won by 17 runs after Gary Hunt cracked 91 not out in their 206-6 and then Ian Simpson returned 8-55 to dismiss Pulborough for 189.

Roffey lost by four wickets to Bexhill despite posting 280-9 (Alan Gill 91, Sam Adams 63) as Chris Topp took 4-69. Bexhill's Jonathan Haffenden made 92 and Sam Aspin 50 not out.

8:49pm Sunday 11th May 2008

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