Peter Eames insists it will be even harder for Crowhurst Park to defend their title.

The reigning East Sussex League champions began the new season with a 35-run success over promoted Barcombe.

The league is arguably weaker this year with the likes of Glynde, Seaford, Hellingly and Chiddingly having moved on to the new Sussex League division three east but Eames does not see it that way.

The Crowhurst Park skipper said: "I think there will be six or seven teams in the hunt this year. Even with Glynde and Seaford gone, there are some good teams who will be up there.

"Barcombe played well against us. They had us in a bit of trouble but we recovered and managed to bowl them out.

"It is always more difficult to retain the title than to win it first time around. Everybody raises their game against us and we are there to be knocked down.

"I don't see any weak teams in the league. Ringmer and Fletching will be up there while Iden have proved they are more than capable of beating anybody at the top."

Having elected to bat first, Park were in trouble at 57-6 as Joe Wheatley (7-61) caused problems but they recovered to post 186 all out with new signing Colin Ayres scoring 61, Victor Walcott 39 and Keith Hobbs 38.

Josh Wheatley then hit 67 as Barcombe recovered from 43-5 in reply but they were eventually all out for 151 with Walcott claiming 5-40 and Richard Coleman 3-19.

Ringmer were convincing winners against another promoted side, Rottingdean. After a slow start Michael Turner (84 not out) and Murray Barnett (59) led the hosts to 221-4. Skipper Ian Ritchie hit 81 in reply, including six sixes, but Andy Smith (4-30) ripped through the middle order and the visitors were bowled out for 156 with eight balls remaining.

Skipper Jonny Atkinson top scored with 70 as Ditchling made 197-8 away to Willingdon, for whom Simon Fuller took 3-29 and Danny Crane 3-31. Michael Stevens struck 67 in reply but the hosts were dismissed for 165.

Phil Shanks (55) and David White (50) hit half centuries and Paul Barnett chipped in with 34 not out as Iden made 199 all out away to Rye, for whom Martin Blincow claimed 5-42. Barnett was chief destroyer in reply, taking 7-52 as the hosts were bowled out for 165 despite 59 from Gary Osborn.

The match between Fletching and Tunbridge Wells Borderers ended in a tie. Needing two to win off the last ball in reply to Fletching's 229-9, Borderers managed only a single.

In division two, Heathfield Park enjoyed an emphatic victory over promoted Robertsbridge. Openers Ian Cox (93) and Terry Penfold (53) put on more than 100 for the opening wicket, then Christian Hart (48) and James Bentley (21 not out) took Heathfield to 242-3 declared.

The visitors struggled from the start in reply and were dismissed for 78 in 24 overs with Daniel James taking 5-27, James Briggs 2-12 and his father Simon 3-20.

Herstmonceux were equally convincing winners against Newick who were skittled for 82 with Alan Smith claiming 5-19 from 20 overs. Three quick wickets fell in reply before Graham Bennett (43 not out) ushered the hosts home.

Newhaven beat Pevensey in a high-scoring clash between two promoted sides. Gavin Hornby cracked 107 not out as Pevensey recovered from a sticky start to post 244-4 but Newhaven passed that to claim victory with four balls to spare thanks largely to Billy Khan (65) and Daryl Tullett (44 not out).

There were also plenty of runs as Battle beat Eastbourne III, who set 245-7 with Adam Blackburn scoring 110 in a partnership of 166 with Russell Varney.

In reply, Ed Scrivener and Robert Yardy shared a partnership of 137, then Ben Ridgway added an explosive 69 to help them to a seven-wicket win in 35.1 overs.

Opener Simon Coe carried his bat for 87 and Alex Coomber added 60 as St Peters set 212-5 away to Buxted Park but the hosts passed that total to claim a five-wicket win with Ed Dew scoring 67 not out and Colin Olive 56 not out.