Reigning champions Hastings Priory enjoyed their first win of the summer and their efforts prevented Brighton and Hove returning to the top of the table.

A win could have put Brighton top as leaders Chichester were robbed of victory by rain at home to East Grinstead.

Brighton stay second as Eastbourne were surprisingly beaten by lowly Lewes Priory while Hastings remain third from bottom but now have a cluster of clubs in their sights.

Hastings skipper Carl Read played a big part in his side's 28 run success against Brighton and Hove.

The hosts were 116-8 until Read (39 not out) and Sam Traill shared in a vital ninth-wicket stand to push the final total along to 195 all out. Dion Carolus bowled with fire to take 6-70 in 22 overs while Matt Wood grabbed 3-36.

Victory looked straightforward for the visitors as Andy Cornford (67) and Chris Grammer (31) shared a second- wicket partnership of 56. But the leftarm spinner Chris Topp took control of the game and returned career best figures of 7-32 in 19 overs as Brighton and Hove were dismissed for 157.

A relieved Read said: "We have had some bad luck and it's been particularly difficult as we have lost half a team since last season.

"It was good to get our first win and I was very pleased to be able to play a part in helping us to a competitive total.

"Chris Topp bowled absolutely brilliantly. It is never easy to get wickets at Horntye Park and he bowled 19 overs on the trot with hardly a loose ball.

"I thought we were going to lose again because 195 is about the lowest total this season on our ground. It was tight at the end but everyone joined in the singing in the dressing room. We've not had much to sing about so far this season but let's hope our season can start now."

Eastbourne collapsed to 120 all out against Lewes Priory at the Sussex University ground at Falmer. West Indian Rayad Emrit grabbed 4-37 and Sher Khan 3-26.

The visitors were 76-8 at one stage but 23 from Simon Cane-Hardy and 22 extras pushed the total along.

Lewes also found batting far from easy before they eventually won with three wickets to spare, Michael Murray scoring 29 not out.

Chichester will consider themselves unlucky not to have won against East Grinstead.

Chi made 238-7 declared thanks to Daniel Oliver 95, Fazl-e-Akbar 52 and Jez Goode 31. James Atkin was the pick of the bowlers with 3-66.

Grinstead were struggling at 57-5 from 18 overs when the heavens opened, Fazl taking 2-27 and Craig Primmer 2-14.

There was a high scoring game at Three Bridges where the home side beat Horsham by seven wickets.

Tim Dodd hit 50 and Paul Gallagher 42 in a Horsham total of 256-9 declared, with bowling honours going to Adrian Chapple (4-65) and Spencer Stevens (3-60).

But Bridges skipper and one-time Sussex batsman Mark Newell cracked 113 not out to steer his side to victory at 258-3, gaining fine support from Danny Alderman (80).

Rain prevented what could have been an exciting finish at Steyning where visitors St James's Montefiore were 37 short of victory with four wickets still standing.

The home side were dismissed for 221 of which South African Darryl Smit hit 82 and Jibran Khan made 41. Steve Green was the pick of the bowlers with 4-45.

Sussex batsman Richard Montgomerie led the run- chase with 89 and Ragher Aga hit 42 but rain ended proceedings with 41.4 overs bowled. Mohammed Amin was the most successful Steyning bowler with 4-43.