East Grinstead are enjoying an Indian summer after their international star Dinesh Mongia helped them claim back-to-back victories with a superb all-round display in the Sussex League premier division.

Grinstead won by five wickets at second-placed Cuckfield after Mongia took a six-wicket haul and then hit an unbeaten century.

Cuckfield posted 258-9 declared with Jack Waghorn (79), opener Richard Amer (45) and Jason Oates (40) contributing as Mongia bowled 23 overs of left arm spin to take 6-106.

Mongia, who has played 57 one-day internationals for India, top scored with 128 not out in a winning total of 263-5 in 49.1 overs.

He hit 17 fours and four sixes with support coming from Matt Kleinveldt (43), Toby Margetts (33) and Michael Phillips (32). The hosts' Tom Flower took 2-58.

Grinstead captain Steve Greig, who has rejoined the club from Metropolitan Police, said: "Dinesh is proving a real boost for us and he is great for morale.

"Things were getting pretty low in the dressing room after our early results but he has been a great help to the other players.

"He has a tremendous technical cricket brain. He bowled well and showed terrific control under pressure, he may have gone for a few but the six wickets made it worthwhile.

Awesome "His innings was awesome. He didn't play a false shot, always looked comfortable and did not give a chance as he steered us to victory.

"We can now really look forward to the rest of the season as, from next Saturday, we will also have Allan Wells in our team.

"I now believe we have the ability to finish games.

"Three times this season we had been in winning positions and then things went wrong, that is all changing now."

Hastings continue to head the table despite losing at home to Brighton and Hove but only 16 points separate the top four sides in the closest title race for years.

Brighton's win lifted them off the bottom of the table with Chichester, the early season leaders, now holding up the table.

Batting first at Horntye Park, Hastings were dismissed for 173 as Brighton skipper and leg spinner Patrick Spencer took 6-49 and Julian Stephenson 3-40. Hastings skipper Jason Finch made 43 and James Pooley 32.

Brighton lost two quick wickets but Matt Green (65 not out) and Chris Grammer (40) combined in a third-wicket stand of 81 as Brighton eased to 174-4 and a six-wicket win.

Stirlands produced an unexpected home win against a Horsham side which included all their young professionals.

The hosts made 260-6 declared as in-form skipper Sean Heather cracked 113 and Aussie Nathan Ball hit 50 despite Chris Nash's 3-66.

Horsham were dismissed for 203 despite a last-wicket stand of 72 in which Alex Harding hit 66 not out. Michael Thornely had earlier made 66, while the pick of the home bowlers was Ball (3-63).

Three Bridges plunged Chichester to the bottom of the table with a quickfire six-wicket home win after bowling out their visitors for 110.

John Edwards (50 not out) top scored as Danny Alderman (5-40) and Paul Smith (4-33) did the damage.

Alderman then hit 39 not out and Mark Newell an unbeaten 30 as Bridges cruised to 112-4.