Carl Hopkinson hit an unbeaten 76 and steered leaders Horsham to a five-wicket home victory against Brighton and Hove.

The game started badly for Brighton and Hove, Sussex players Matt Prior and Bas Zuiderent departing quickly.

Prior was caught behind and Zuiderent had to retire hurt after being struck on the elbow by pace bowler Nick Weekes, arguably the fastest bowler in the League.

With rain interruptions, Brighton reached 170 all out, Stephen Ades hitting 44, Neil Robinson 26 and skipper Ray Bieber 25. Young Horsham spinner Chris Nash took 3-40.

But Hopkinson, with skipper Scott Stratton making 44, helped their side to a winning 175-5, Andy Sartor taking 2-32.

Hastings, five points behind Horsham in second place, found runs hard to come at Horntye Park but an all out total of 202 was enough to beat Eastbourne. Brad Smith (40), James Chaplin (37), and Jason Finch (30) were amongst the runs as Paul Hacker took 5-68.

Chaplin grabbed 6-32 to send Eastbourne tumbling to 131 all out, Toby Eyre making 38 not out and Paul Stevens 22.

Crowborough moved up to third place after a convincing home win against Haywards Heath.

Batting first, Crowborough made 250-9 with Richard Jackson hitting 81 and Danny Foden 72. They shared a second-wicket stand of 156. Tim Cruickshank proved the most successful visiting bowler with 3-55.

Haywards Heath collapsed to 27-6 against the bowling of Naeem Akhtar (6-56) and Andy Cornford (4-37) but a spirited 58 from Andy Spencer helped them to 133 all out. It was a good finish to the week for Akhtar, having earlier been in hospital with a kidney complaint.

Hosts Three Bridges enjoyed a seven-wicket victory against East Grinstead in a rain-hit match.

The visitors made 179-8 in 56 overs with acting skipper James Chadburn hitting 69 and Neil Turk 46 as Australian Phil Stanbridge claimed 4-12.

In reply, an unbeaten 85 from Stanbridge decided the game as he shared an unbroken fourth-wicket stand with skipper Danny Alderman (28 not out) to take his side home at 180-3, Stuart Simmonds taking 2-51.

Chichester eventually held on for a draw at home to Worthing after looking set for victory. Their fortunes changed after the match ball had to be replaced by one that swung prodigiously.

Worthing recovered from two wickets for three runs as Ben Cameron hit 89 and Andy Lutwyche made 58. Home skipper Nick Dyer bowled 27 overs unchanged for 3-84.

Andy Perry (48) and Paul Robbins gave the home side a sound start and, with Brett Whitener making 35, they looked to be coasting to victory. But a damp outfield after rain caused the seam to swell and the match ball was replaced.

The main beneficiary was Lutwyche who took 4-39. Time ran out with Chichester 149-8 from 60 overs.