SUSSEX PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND-UP: Hastings and Nomads are joint top

HASTINGS and Preston Nomads are joint top of the Sussex Premier League after this weekend’s round of fixtures.

Current champions Nomads’ bowlers proved too tough for Pulborough, where batting, for both sides, was never easy.

The home side were tumbled out for just 89 with only Tom Crump (30) looking anything like comfortable. Carl Simon took 4-42 and Joe Gatting, free from county duty, took 4-25.

In reply Nomads were far from coasting at 52-4 but Stuart Faith, having opened, carried his bat for 51 not out to see them home at 91- 4.

Hastings raced to 251- 9 declared against Roffey at Horntye Park as Matt Machan hit 72, John Morgan 42 not out and Andy Cornford, returning after five years from injury, 39.

For Roffey Luke Barnard took 4-81 and Simon Shivnarain 4- 78.

The visitors then crashed to 137 not out, skipper Mike Norris with just 20 was top scorer as veteran spinner Mick Glazier took 4- 22.

Horsham were put in by East Grinstead and dismissed for 178 as left arm spinner Craig Fowle took 8-30.

In reply the home side enjoyed a narrow two wicket win at 182-8, Will Adkin making 58 and Matt Suggs 57 .For Horsham Matt Henry took 3-33, Devon Endersby 3-34 and Will Beer 2-58.

Chris Atherton was the bowling hero for Brighton and Hove as the brother of former England skipper Mike Atherton, took 6- 61 to help bowl out Chichester for 183, of which Richard Logan made 46.

Earlier Brighton had set a challenging 246 with Guy Williamson hitting 61 from 39 balls and young Irishman Craig Young made 55, Logan was the pick of the visiting bowlers, he took 4-52.

Eastbourne were put in by Three bridges and made 284-8 with Angus Stewart hitting 62 and young wicketkeeper Callum Jackson 60, for Bridges Hishm-Ul-Haq took 3- 69 and evergreen Danny Alderman 3-81.

In reply Bridges reached 217-7 at stumps with 50 from Hisham and 34 from Jibran Khan.

Former England man Ed Giddins returned to Sussex League action with 2-24 and Josh Preston grabbed 2-69.

In Division Two Cuckfield, relegated last season, lead the as the only team with a 100 per cent record. Worthing and Haywards Heath share second place.