Glynde skipper Richard Harding described his side's five-wicket win over previously unbeaten Ringmer as 'ground-breaking' as they moved a step closer to retaining the title.

Harding said: "It was a giant step in the right direction.

"Ringmer are a side packed with experience and they are never beaten until the final wickets or runs are knocked off.

"However, this season we have more potential match-winners in our side than any other team in the league. It has just been a case of pulling those individual efforts together into a good team performance.

"This victory shows we have become a real force. It has instilled more self-belief into us and renewed confidence that we can go on and win the title again."

Seventeen-year-old spinners Joe Adams and Dominic Harris (4-67) were pivotal in Glynde's victory.

Off spinner Adams and leg spinner Harris bowled 33 overs for 111 runs between them while Dale Tranter took 3-41.

Ringmer made 211 with Stuart McConachie (54) and Glyn Crees (47) top scoring.

Gary Holder (4-46) made early inroads as Glynde replied but Adams (98 not out), who was dropped three times, and captain Harding (50) took the game away from Ringmer as they finished on 216-5.

Harding said: "Joe has had a fantastic season and his performances have earned him a place in the under-21 Sussex Academy side."

Martin Barry was in sparkling form for second-placed Crowhurst Park, hitting an unbeaten century in their ten-wicket win over strugglers Chiddingly, who had earlier amassed 217 all out with James Packham and Mark Stapley putting on 136 for the first wicket.

Heathfield Park failed to force victory over Fletching despite Scott Pearce (114 not out) and Cambridge Blue James Heywood (84 not out) piling on 204 in an unbeaten third-wicket stand in their 254-2 declared.

Fletching replied with 185-9 as a defiant Andy Fitzgerald top scored with 37 not out despite Daniel James (3-43) returning fine figures.

There was a run-feast on an excellent track at Laughton as Newick and Iden fought out a draw.

Newick amassed 311-2 declared with Sam Carter scoring 50 of his 60 runs in the first 30 minutes before Rupert Thacker cracked 127 not out. Iden replied with 295-8 with Phil Shanks hitting 137 and Michael White 94 as Greg Bell took 3-94 and Rupert Thacker 4-42.

Seaford stayed above Hellingly at the bottom after a draw in which they scored 240 all out with Will Hopkins (65) and Chris Stanyard (87) top scoring.

Clint Mooiman took 3-49 and Paddy Stevens 4-19. In reply, Hellingly's Andy Wood (49) and James Wise (37) put on 102 for the first wicket but Stanyard took 5-31 as they closed on 177-7.

Leaders Herstmonceux slipped to a two-wicket defeat against Rottingdean in division two.

Ceux were dismissed for 144 as Mark Smith took 5-44 and Rottingdean edged home.

The clash of second and third saw St Peters have the better of the points in their local derby with Ditchling after making 201-8 (Matthew Knight 49). In the reply, Johnny Armitage dived at second slip to catch Jamie Theakston off Brian Scholtz and when Simon Coomber (2-27) claimed two wickets, Ditchling settled for a draw at 92-2 (Knight 2-12). Johnny Atkinson hit 23 not out and stand-in skipper Mike Nolan 20.

Barcombe cracked 208-8 after recovering from 9-3 and 87-7 with Martin Seager making 78 and Andrew Allsobrook 38 but Tunbridge Wells Borderers replied with 194-8 from 38 overs as Hayden Doody hit a quickfire 44 and George Kyles contributed 35.

Rye beat fourth-placed Uckfield despite the hosts putting on 168-8 (Peter Holman 51) as skipper Martin Blincow (6-50) returned good figures. Tino Brinks steered Rye to victory with 110 (17 fours, three sixes).

Battle had the better of the draw against DPB as they made 214-6 following a 91-run partnership between Bill Mozley (60) and James Clowes (71). Boards closed on 129-6 (Nick Reid 3-29).