Shepherd Neame League: Hastings Priory have retained their title to become champions for the sixth time in 33 seasons.

It is their third title in the last five years having been runners-up in the other two seasons in that time.

Horsham are assured of the runners-up spot for the second successive season. Both the top two won their games at the weekend.

Eastbourne have made sure of avoiding relegation after winning by one wicket at Steyning, Worthing and Stirlands occupy the bottom two places.

Hastings enjoyed a nailbiting finish at home to Brighton and Hove in winning by just six runs with a ball to spare.

The home side made 222-8 declared with George Campbell hitting 71 and James Pooley 70. For Brighton, Aussie paceman Damon Preo bowled unchanged for 29 overs to take 6-85.

At 216 all out the visitors came desperately close to winning with Stephen Ades leading the way with 74 and Chris Grammer making 30. The bowling hero for Hastings was Michael Yardy who took 6-78 in 17 overs.

Horsham enjoyed a 26-run win at Chichester having made a relatively modest 171 all out.

In that total Michael Bright and skipper Scott Stratton each hit 53.

Among the home bowlers Nick Dyer took 3-40, Kim Wulff 2-29 and Adam Sharp 2-38.

Daniel Oliver did his best to set up a surprise victory for the home side.

He made 53 and Nick Dyer 35 before their side tumbled to 145 all out as Tim Dodd took 5-35 and Mark Nash 3-29.

Three Bridges still have a chance of finishing third after a 13-run victory at Worthing.

In a Bridges total of 207-6 declared, Jibran Khan hit 68 not out, Richard Webber made 45 and skipper Danny Alderman 37. Skipper Andy Lutwyche grabbed 3-64 and Michael Quinn 2-74.

Bridges' leg-spinner Conrad Mumby took 6-88 to dismiss the home side for 194.

In that score, Steve Pearce made 51 not out and David Renham 37.

Eastbourne finally banished any possibility of relegation when they won by just one wicket at Steyning after bowling their hosts out for 188.

Skipper Paul Hacker had a field day. He bowled 28 overs unchanged to take 6-88.

When Eastbourne batted, runs were always hard to come by with Steyning skipper Giles Haywood particularly difficult to get away in taking 4-51 and it could not have been closer with victory coming with the last pair at the crease.

The remaining game at Stirlands was called off against East Grinstead with the ground suffering from overnight rain.