Promotion-chasing Bognor Regis have been urged to stay focused after exceeding expectations with an unbeaten start to the season.

The Sussex League division three leaders made it six wins from their opening seven games with a 57-run victory in their top-of-the-table clash at home to Burgess Hill.

Skipper Luke Seward admits promotion was the aim going into the season but is delighted with the way as side primarily built on the club’s colts system have been playing.

Seward said: “We are extremely happy with our start to the season, to remain unbeaten and win six out of seven games exceeds our expectations.

“It has been very encouraging to see everyone in the top six batting order contributing runs. The bowlers have bowled extremely well, bowling out the opposition in all the games that we have played. Overall it has been great team effort. “The last few seasons we have come close to promotion a number of times. Our primary target at the start of the season was to achieve promotion, with the aim of finishing as league champions.

“We pride ourselves on bringing talent through, with nine or ten players in the first team each week having played colts cricket through the age groups. This season also saw our South African overseas player Zayne Bux return for a second season.”

Bux hit 57 and Elliott Clarke 67 as Bognor set 195-8, Peter Billinghay claiming 5-57 for Burgess Hill. Graham Bush then took 5-33 as the hosts were dismissed for 138.

With a long way still to go in the season, Seward insists his players must not get carried away by their early success.

He said: “We need to remain grounded and focused for the next few games, ensuring we maintain the intensity that we have shown from the start.

“All the teams are fairly well matched in the league so no game is easy.

“Having played together as a team from a young age we always aim to enjoy our cricket, this will be key to any future success.”

Imran Mehboob ripped in with 8-40 from 14.3 overs as Crawley Eagles skittled Portslade for 87. Six wickets fell in reply but Eagles reached their target to claim a win which lifted them to second in the table.

A hat-trick from Ed Lamb (3-17) helped Steyning restrict Goring-by-Sea to 162-9 and his side went on to secure a six-wicket success with Oliver Collins making 53 not out.

Dan Weigl smashed 110 not out from 77 balls, including eight fours and six sixes, as Chichester posted 281-4 declared, Jolyon Dannatt adding 60. Visitors Glynde also had a centurion in reply, Rob Mouland’s 112 not out helping them to 220-4 at the close.

An opening stand of 145 between Jonny Phelps (85) and Isaac Leckie (78) helped bottom side Haywards Heath reach 258-4 declared but they had to settle for a draw as Rottingdean closed on 206-9 in reply, in-form George Ledden making 46.

Mayfield went top of division four after a comprehensive victory at home to Stirlands. Skipper Jason Finch cracked 93 from 56 balls and Andy Cornford added 52 as the league new boys posted 242-8 declared, then Ben Saunders claimed 7-26 from 12.4 overs to skittle Stirlands for 76.

Slinfold, who began the day clear at the top, had to settle for a draw at Southwater who amassed 294-9 with Daniel Skett making 71 not out and Johann Brouwer 50 as Tom Filby took 5-81. In reply, Paul Osborne scored 67 as Slinfold closed on 246-9.

Crawley beat third-placed Rye by 32 runs thanks to a good all-round display from Kunal Kapoor (53 and 5-43). Harry Chaudhary chipped in with 37 as Crawley set 172 all out, with Kshermal Waingankar taking 6-57 for Rye.

Lee Pittavino (45 and 4-31) again impressed for Keymer and Hassocks but his side lost by four-wickets away to Henfield, for whom Brighton Mugochi took 3-13.

The clash of the bottom two ended in a win for Hellingly who comfortably chased down Wisborough Green’s 139 all out for an eight-wicekt win. Greg Devlin hit 81 not out and and James Pooley an unbeaten 60 as Hellingly recovered from 5-2.