Crowhurst Park kept the pressure on leaders Fletching but were made to fight all the way for victory over rock-bottom Wadhurst in the East Sussex Cricket League.

This was a third straight win for the reigning champions and it keeps them 27 points behind Fletching but the margin of a 12-run victory suggests how well Wadhurst played.

Park's Michael Legg said: "They put up a good fight and it was a close finish in the end.

"We are only just over halfway through the season so it is all to play for but Fletching have got to slip up.

"We have got to concentrate on doing the business ourselves and we have still got to play Fletching again later in the year. That will be a crucial game."

Contributions from Andy Crouch (36 not out), Paul Brookes (34), Legg (34) and Graham Corke (24) helped Park post a total of 225-7 before an early declaration.

Wadhurst were soon in trouble at 47-5 but a thrilling counterattack saw Michael Scott (81) and Gary Bennett (63) put on 108 for the sixth wicket. However, when they both departed the tail was wide open for Victor Walcott (5-66) and Richard Coleman (2-33) to wrap up the innings at 213.

Fletching won by eight wickets at home to Chiddingly. Gavin Sutherland scored 25 for Chiddingly but they struggled for runs against Fletching seamers Grant Horscroft (4-18) and Ali Horscroft (4-23) and were bowled out for 101.

The total posed few problems for Fletching and a solid opening stand between Mark Horscroft (31) and Dave Meacher (25) sent them on their way to victory.

Next up for Fletching are DPB (Eastbourne) who moved into fourth spot following a comprehensive win at home to Ditchling. The hosts were given a bit of extra help, 56 extras to be precise, as they posted a total of 214-7. Further contributions came from Richard Horne (35), Greg Osborne (35), James Bentley (34) and opener Terry Penfold, who returned after a spell in hospital receiving stitches for a cut eye to score 26.

Some devastating bowling from Bentley (7-36) and Jamie Sykes (3-24) reduced Ditchling to 5-5 and 14-8, with Bentley's figures being 6-5 at one stage. No. 10 batsman Neil Adams offered some resistance but the visitors were finally all out for 61.

Penfold said: "We have only lost one game this season and that was by three runs away to Ditchling. We will give Fletching a good game."

Ringmer have been deducted ten points after two of their players were reported for sledging during the match with Fletching on July 6.

Murray Barnett and Colin Coddington have been handed one-match bans subject to appeal.

Ringmer ended a run of three successive defeats by beating Glynde by seven wickets to leapfrog into third place.

Coddington (4-12) and Graham Pitts (3-23) combined to dismiss Glynde for 94. Ringmer lost Stuart McConachie early in their reply but the circumspect strokeplay of Richard Thomas (37) and the aggression of Neil Thornicroft (47 not out) saw them home with only three wickets down.

The only century in the top division was a splendid effort by Heathfield Park opener Ian Cox who carried his bat for 149 not out in a total of 248-4 declared. Cox's century came in 118 minutes off 111 balls and his score included 24 fours. Bob Davies added 38 while Liam Craig-Davies (3-35) was the pick of the Newick bowlers.

Newick struggled in reply but held on for a draw at 127-8 with Miles Caldwell (32) top-scoring. Simon Briggs took 4-41 and Davies 2-16 while James Heywood took two sharp stumpings.