Hastings bowler Andy Cornford took a hat-trick as Shepherd Neame Sussex League champions Horsham lost their opening game of the new campaign.

Horsham were put in at Hornetye Park and Cornford, the former Crowborough skipper, finished with 4-44.

John Morgan, currently having trials with Derbyshire, took 4-26 in a penetrating spell. South African Mark Sanders, with just 23, was top scorer for the visitors in a 94 total.

Hastings owed much to new skipper Tom Eldridge, who made 49 not out to lead his team to victory at 95-6.

Chichester were bundled out for 120 at Three Bridges after wet conditions delayed the start. John Edwards top scored with 25, as Conrad Mumby took 3-39 and fellow teenager Bobby Alderman 3-10.

Australian batsman David Lindsey, from Mount Lawley, cracked 66 on his debut and Krishana Singh made 35 not out to steer Bridges home at 121-2 in just 26 overs.

Haywards Heath found batting tough against the Eastbourne seamers and were dismissed for just 125 as Paul Hacker took 4-31 and Richard Smith 3-33.

Rajan Walters then hit 85 not out to take Eastbourne to victory at 126-3.

Worthing had a narrow three wicket win at home to newly-promoted Steyning on a tricky pitch. Simon McNiff and Mat Pound each made 20 in a Steyning total of 113 all out as Danny Barton took 3-39 and Aussie Jaime Forbes 3-17.

Opener Tim Dunn grafted for 36 as Worthing took nearly 48 overs to reach their target at 114-7.

The other promoted club, St James, struggled after putting in Brighton and Hove at Ditchling.

The visitors reached 250-5 declared, with Bas Zuiderent hitting 105 not out and Ray Beiber making 65. The home side never threatened the target and reached 155-8.

New Australian skipper Sam Roberts enjoyed a personal triumph in his first game in charge for Bexhill as they clinched a 43-run win at home to Sidley in Division Two.

Roberts hit 71 and newcomer Martin Menezes 52 in a 192-9 declared total. Peter King took 5-41 and veteran Tyrone Wildman 3-4. Sidley were dismissed for 149 despite 45 from Jonathan Haffenden, Roberts took 4-63 and Rakesh Patel 3-33.