Horsham have opened up a 20-point gap at the top of the Sussex Cricket League Premier Division after an amazing victory over Hastings.

Both sides totalled over 300 runs, a league record and there were two centuries on a day of runs galore at Crickefield Road.

Hastings raced to 303-3 declared, skipper Jason Finch leading the way with 101 not out and he was well supported by the in-form George Campbell, who hit 70, and Pakistani newcomer Aameer Saeed 97.

Horsham set about their daunting task in a positive way and reached 306-6 from 58.3 overs as Australian David Hussey hit 107, teenager Andy Hodd 91 and Alan Law 40.

It is the first time both teams have scored over 300 in a game during 31 seasons of Sussex League cricket and it is the first over 600 runs have been made.

Chichester have retained second place despite being soundly beaten by nine wickets at Eastbourne, who now lie fourth.

In the visitors' total of 184 -7, declared Andrew Perry made 46 and skipper Nick Dyer 33, while Toby Eyre took 3-30.

Sussex' young Aussie Tim Ambrose then hit 88 not out and John Purdey 68 not out to take Eastbourne to victory with some ease at 187-1.

Three Bridges earned their second win of the season against last year's champions Brighton and Hove, who have now lost all four games this season.

In a Bridges' total of 250-5 declared, Tom Mole hit 110, Chris Mole 48 and Phil Stanbridge 33. Stephen Ades' off-spin was rewarded with 4-73.

The home side then tumbled to 152 all out despite 38 from skipper Ray Bieber and 33 not out from Richard Spink. Steve Brown took 4-32 and young spinner Conrad Mumby 3-47.

The highest individual score of the day was made by 19-year-old Aussie Tim Cruickshank for Haywards Heath but it was not enough to stop home side East Grinstead earning their first win of the campaign.

Cruickshank hit 140 and fellow opener Danny Hall 56 in a Heath total of 251-5 declared in what proved to be a somewhat over ambitious declaration.

Grinstead skipper Steve Pollard then carried his bat for 79 not out and with Alex Edwards making 55 not out, James Chadburn 53 and Hartman Steyn 44 they reached 252-3 to win with 21 balls to spare.

Worthing remain in third place despite being held to a draw against Crowborough who suffered a staggering five point penalty for an over-rate that fell to just over 15 an hour.

In a Crowborough total of 235, Nick Wilton hit 104 and Richard Jackson 43 while Andy Stillwell, for Worthing, grabbed 4-53.

Dominic Clapp struck 96 but the bowling of Naeem Akhtar (3-60) and Shia Khan (3- 53) restricted Worthing to 231-8, frustratingly four short of victory.

Report by Tony Millard
sports@argus-btn.co.uk