VIDEO: Down closing in on the title

As they were securing a four-wicket win at home to Edenbridge, second-placed Streat crashed to a six-wicket defeat in a run-fest at home to Colemans Hatch.

Steve Ward (57no and 3-24) and Liam Lindsay (5-25) were the Down heroes in a low scoring match with Edenbridge.

But it was in stark contrast at Middleton Manor where more than 500 runs came for the loss of only eight wickets.

Unluckiest loser probably of the whole season was Jules Hunt who made an unbeaten 178 to help the hosts declare at 257-4 after only 42.1 overs.

Hatch took up the challenge eagerly, however, as Steve Pollard (103no) and Geeth Withanagamage (69) swept them to victory in the 46th over.

Charlie Dowdall (94), Adrian Ruzicka (67) and David Earl (52no) led Balcombe to 250-4 in 44 overs before four wickets apiece from Harvey Mitchell and Callum Elliott sent bottom team Nomads III to a 109-run defeat.

Palmers won by 175 runs after Ollie Ferns (6-34) and Nugent Brown (3-12) sent hosts Poynings crashing to 62 all out. Top scorer for Palmers was Jez Taylor with 59.

East Grinstead III took over top spot in Division 2 thanks to their bloodless 10-wicket victory over Staplefield, who were rushed out for 43 by Scott Weddell (6-24) and Dan Cox (3-19). The only resistance came from Nick Mercardo (27).

Dormansland were the team deposed at the top as they just held out for a draw at home to Cuckfield III, for whom Tommy Watson made 93 and Piers Harrison 73.

Hurstpierpoint moved up five places as they defeated Balcombe II by six wickets. James Bushell hit 60 after Matt Parsons bowled 24 overs unchanged for 3-64 as the visitors were restricted to 146-9 off their 47 overs. Main contributors were Gary Dutton (49) and Alan Smith (42).

Smallfield are still bottom but now just six points away from Balcombe II and only a handful away from a whole pack after beating Horsted Keynes by seven wickets.

Sam (63) and Luke Blackburn (62) completed the job after the visitors were bowled out for 156 in 45 overs.

Bolney completed a six-wicket win after restricting visitors Chailey to 206-7, of which Jeremy Blick made 92 and Danny Andrews 45. Jack Collins (59) and Dean Hamilton (52no) made light of the target as Vikram Kent went for three figures.

Chris Bowers hit 126 as Cowden ensured they stayed firmly on the heels of Division 3 leaders Roffey III by beating Burgess Hill III on Saturday.

Bowers swept the hosts to 251-5 in only 40 overs and then Hill succumbed for 130 to Andy Hancock (5-50).

The pressure was really on Cowden as Roffey, who have a game in hand, were handed full points when bottom club Turners Hill were unable to field a side.

Honours were shared at Ardingly as Richard Sloggett (78) and Immi Ahamed (54) carried the hosts to 220-5 in 41 overs before Copthorne replied with 177-5 in eight overs more, Stewart Cook top scored with 84 not out.

Deepak Kapadia (3-28 and 34) was an unlucky loser for East Grinstead III at Lindfield III, where Charlie Pugh (56no) helped the hosts to 194-7.

The status quo was maintained in Division 4, where leaders Ditchling III beat bottom club Cowfold by five wickets, bowling them out for 83 as James Muir took 5-10.

Second-placed Crawley Down II also took full points as Jez Farley (5-33) helped bowl out hosts Palmers II for 58.

Martin Britt (85no) did his bit to push Lingfield III up to third after Will Temple-Smith (75) enabled Cuckfield IV to set a target of 217-9.

Lindfield IV completed their first draw of the season thanks to Stewart Hornby’s 66 out of 137-8 as they chased a SJM III total of 159-9 that owed much to Tim Hutchinson (58).

Dominic Jordan (60) carried Edenbridge II to a four-wicket home win against Streat II, for whom Randheer Ponnamkunnath made an unbeaten 51 out of 141-8.

In Division 5 Balcombe III stayed top as they beat Ardingly II by five wickets but Dormansland II kept pace with a 155-run win at Ansty III, where Philip Stagg hit an unbeaten 60.

Keymer & Hassocks U14 Tom Powell (51) hit his maiden fifty but still finished a loser at home to Forest Row (Adam Gilmour 72no).