Jason Shelton contributed 30 before taking 6-79 to reduce the hosts to 193-8 in reply. Sean Heather (86) and Daniel Oliver (37) were the stumbling blocks to Cuckfield's victory bid after Daniel Oliver had proved Stirland's best bowler with 3-79.
The following day Cuckfield put that disappointment behind them to move into title-contention with a six-wicket victory over the Sussex Development XI.
Shelton took 4-44 and Nick Walters 3-52 as the county youngsters made 185 thanks mainly to George Ledden (35no), Will Adkin (31) and Devon Endersby (31). Then making light of the target were James Thorpe (74no) and Chris Mole (65).
Horsham remain top of the league table despite being on the wrong end of a draw at home to Three Bridges as Eastbourne tumbled to defeat in a low scoring game at Chichester.
The leaders were hit by rain when chasing a formidable 270-7 after putting Bridges into bat. Michael Shaw made 78, Danny Alderman 75, Mark Newell 51 and Richard Webber 42, while Ansar Javed took 4-48 and Will Beer 3-95.
The original 52 overs were reduced to 47 by rain and in that time Horsham reached 185-6, of which Michael Thornely made 71. For Bridges, Mo Ali took 3-64 and Jigga Parekh 2-52.
East Grinstead introduced Indian Test player Dinesh Mongia for the home game with Hastings as they strengthened their bid to avoid relegation. But the visitors took control with the bat to make 236-7 as James Beeny hit 85, Toby Finzel 44 and Chris Morris 36. For Grinstead Mongia took 3-82 in 25 overs and Craig Fowle 4-60.
In reply, the hosts side were dismissed for 218 with Matt Kleinweldt getting 62 and Mongia 59. Chris Morris took 5-83 and John Morgan 3-67.
Preston Nomads made short work of winning by eight wickets at struggling champions Brighton & Hove after the home side had decided to bat and were rushed out for 117. Skipper Patrick Spencer, with 55, saved his side from an even worse fate as Stephen Rigg took 4-40 and Owen Kernan 3-7. James McKemey claimed three stumpings and a catch.
Two early wickets gave Brighton hope but then Jeremy Green (66no) and Joe Gatting (29no) ensured no further mishaps with an unbroken stand of 96.
There was something of a surprise at Chichester where Eastbourne crashed to 107 all out chasing a meagre 127, in which Chi skipper Jez Goode made 47 and David Leaver 26. For the visitors Ollie Rayner took 4-27 and Rag Aga 3-31. Former Haywards Heath player Stuart Faith then top scored for Eastbourne with 42 and Rayner made 20 as Steve Sedgeley picked up 4-23 and there were two wickets each for Gary Austerberry and James Stedman.
Bexhill moved top of Division 2 with a five-wicket win at Ditchling against St James's Montefiore. Saints were put in and bowled out for just 135 as Aussie Sean Austin took 6-41. Offering most resistance was Ashley Wallace with 39.
Ashley Wright, brother of England's Luke, made 45 as Bexhill won with plenty to spare despite Lewis Hatchett taking 2-31.
Lewes Priory had gone into the weekend as leaders but were stunned at Littlehampton, where they crashed to a nine-wicket defeat after being dismissed for just 107. Adam Tester grabbed 6-36 and then team-mate Chris Kirkham struck an unbeaten 62.
Worthing climbed away from the bottom with a 49-run victory at home to Roffey. Batting first, the hosts made 196-7 as David Rogers hit 47, Andy Lutwyche 37 and Dominic Clapp 35. In reply Roffey tumbled to 147 all out despite 36 from Simon Shivnarain and 31 from Sam Adams as Clapp took 3-21 and Kyle Bowes 3-50.
Bottom club Sidley are still looking for their first win after going down by seven wickets at home to fellow strugglers Pulborough at Gullivers. In an impressive Sidley total of 266-9, Aussie Elliott Bullock hit 108, Brad Holt 43 and Peter King 34 as Rohit Jagota took 4-54. Jagota then also starred with the bat as he hit 100 not out and Tom Crump made 90.