The Sussex League is now a three-horse race after any lingering hopes for Cuckfield were shattered as they crashed to 65 all out against Hastings, one of the trio of title challengers.
John Morgan (5-26) destroyed the Cuckfield batting and then James Beeny struck 52 of his side's 66 runs as they raced to a 10-wicket win.
Although Preston Nomads are firm favourites for the title, the race could go all the way as they are due to pla
yer the other hopefuls, Eastbourne, on the final day.
On Saturday Nomads found things far from easy at home to Three Bridges, who made 196-7 as Mark Newell hit 50, Sam Allbrough 46 and Michael Norris 38. Kashif Ibrahim took 3-53 before the home side got home by three wickets with only four balls to spare as Aaron Phillips made 78 not out and Jeremy Green 52. For Bridges, Danny Alderman took 3-50.
Eastbourne virtually sentenced Stirlands to relegation after beating their hosts by four wickets. Stirlands were dismissed for 147, of which Nathan Ball made 42 and Nick Hunt 33, as Raga Aga took 4-31 and Tom Smith 3-34.
In the Eastbourne reply, Martin Garnett made 60 not out and Luke Tomsett 37 not out to help their team recover from a poor start. Nathan Ball took 3-50.
Sussex batsman Michael Thornely timed his innings to perfection in helping Horsham banish all thoughts of relegation with an eight-wicket win at home to Brighton & Hove. The visitors were held to 211-8 declared, of which Matt Machan hit 42 and Matt Green 40, with Mark Nash bowling 29 overs unchanged to take 4-101.
Thornely then batted well but could only reach his century by finishing the match with a six, which is what he duly did with the scores level. He finished on 103 and Sam Attfield was at the other end on 86.
Chichester look like accompanying their near neighbours on the way down after a 62-run defeat at East Grinstead, where the hosts made 208-8 and then dismissed Chi for 146 as Dinesh Mongia took 3-54 and Craig Fowle 3-16.
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