Julian Hutchens produced a classic strike to put Brighton within sight of the London Three South East title.

Hutchens rounded off a pre-planned move in the last ten minutes to clinch a crucial 12-9 win at rivals Worthing.

The result virtually ends Worthing's chances of taking top spot and means Ian Watkins' Brighton side remain favourites to pip Cranbrook to the title.

Meanwhile, Crawley are up into third place and can do their Sussex rivals a big favour by beating Cranbrook when league action resumes a week on Saturday.

Brighton survived the loss of locks Mark Gibb and Danie Venter through injury and coach Watkins said: "The players were magnificent.

"There was a lot of good rugby from both sides and I was proud of my players. They answered a lot of their critics."

Prop Martin McDonagh scored the first try, with Geraint Jones converting.

Three Andy Ashwin penalties eased Worthing 9-7 up and they felt they had enough possession and chances to have put the game beyond doubt.

Cranbrook saw off Eastbourne 22-10 but their wing Dave O'Brien and outside half Dale Spencer, both of whom impressed at Brighton recently, face bans after being sent-off in the closing stages.

The dismissals followed a flashpoint in which Eastbourne allege their skipper Spencer Pullinger was kicked.

Tries either side of the break from Matt Thompson and Danie Craven gave Eastbourne a 10-3 lead.

But they wasted further chances and were overpowered by the home pack, whose impressive driving play laid on three second half scores.

Crawley scored six tries to three as they won 40-23 in an entertaining contest at Chichester.

Assistant coach Paddy Constance admitted: "There were times when we looked unbeatable but others when we weren't very good at all."

Crawley's first try was a beauty as the pack won second phase ball and Steve Pilgrim's clever pass sent Justin Kemp-Gee bursting through.

Scores followed from Andy Jenn, Guy Young, Richard Billings and Steve O'Reilly to send them 33-11 clear.

Pilgrim rounded things off with a try while O'Reilly kicked two penalties and two conversions.

Flanker Alan Maybank was superb on his return to the side.

Horsham enjoyed their best contest of the season before losing 21-17 at Beccehamians.

They led 12-11 just before the break. Dougie Wright was impeded attempting a quick penalty, resulting in a penalty try, and Paul Thurston also scored.

Dan Senneck struck after the break to keep them in touch. John Macfarlane kicked a conversion.

East Grinstead won 32-5 at home to lowly Medway but were unimpressive.

A try and penalty from Justin Looney gave them a narrow lead from an awful first half effort but things livened up after the break.

Jim Trantham, the impressive Rick Lake and Ray Hennessy all went over, with Looney adding his second try and slotting two conversions.

Heathfield bounced back from three successive league defeats to beat Dartfordians 25-18.

Coach Ken Chichester praised a superb performance as their powerful pack helped build an 18-0 interval lead.

Scores came from Lee Hales, Mark de St Croix and a penalty try. Paul Jarvis kicked two conversions and two penalties.

Chichester has resumed coaching duties in place of former England centre Tony Bond, who quit because of a disagreement with the Heath committee.

Hove made a bright start at Tunbridge Wells but were caught out by a breakaway try and eventually lost 33-0.

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