VIDEO: St Francis out as things tighten up at the top

There are no real changes in Division 1 despite the departure of St Francis and their record being expunged.

Crawley Down remain top although they have had their lead reduced to just one point by Streat & Westmeston, who beat them on their own patch.

Jules Hunt again was prominent for Streat with a top scoring 47 and 4-26 as the visitors squeezed home by 10 runs.

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Just nine points now cover the top three after Ashdown Forest beat Palmers by five wickets. Stafan Gooch top scored with 73 for Forest after team-mates Josh Coburn (4-37) and Wes Lind (3-50) had bowled out the visitors for 164 in the 39th over.

There was some outstanding batting at Colemans Hatch where Balcombe romped to a nine-wicket win chasing a formidable home total of 274-6.

Tim Singer (93) and Steve Pollard (59) led the Hatch innings before David Earl (122no) and Charlie Dowdall (105no) made light of the target. The other top division match between Edenbridge and Preston Nomads III was drawn.

It is status quo at the top of Division 2 after wins for the top two.

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Leaders East Grinstead III had Tim Wilson (120) and Jackson Batch (85no) to thank for their eight-wicket at Cuckfield III, who had three players scoring half centuries (Joe Cambridge, Piers Harrison and Andy Turner).

In sharp contrast runs were in short supply at Dormansland, where 16 wickets fell for 191 runs. Michael Phillips (6-41) and Michael Watson (44) were the home heroes.

There were two unbeaten centuries at Staplefield where the hosts’ Shazad Ahmed made 126 and with the help of Gary Simmons (56) set a big target of 263-5.

Chailey replied with 209-7 thanks almost exclusively to the efforts of Danny Andrews, who made an undefeated 134.

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James Rothman was an alround star for Balcombe II as they claimed a nine-wicket home win against Smallfield. He took 4-37 and then struck an undefeated 50, sharing a big stand with Alan Smith (58).

Bolney won their derby match at home to Hurstpierpoint despite a century by the visitors’ James Bushell.

He made 128 in helping to set a target of 228-6 that Bolney passed in the 45th over with three wickets remaining.

Jack Collins led the chase with 65 and was well supported by Rob Bowles (45no) and Dean Hamilton (39).

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Pick of the efforts in Division 3 came from Roffey’s Joe Rivers and Mick Webb (105 and 80 respectively), Graham Page (63 for Lindfield III) and Jim Barnes (5-56 for Roffey).--

After winning their first six matches, Ditchling III are starting to falter a little and have now won only once in the last three.

On Saturday the Division 4 leaders lost by 11 runs at home to Cuckfield IV, who started the day bottom.

Jez Stevens (3-38 and 65) was an unlucky loser as Caleb Hawkins (78) and Bryce Van Straaten (4-49) starred for Cuckfield.

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Russ Ferrier had a day to remember for Palmers II as he passed 10,000 career runs in making 51 and also took 5-47 in his side’s draw with Edenbridge II.

U15 Stephen Brownsey took 5-21 as Lingfield III beat visitorsLindfield IV, while Gavin Hall (62) helped Streat II to a home win against Cowfold, for whom Drew Robinson made an unbeaten 50.

Balcombe III stayed top of Division 5 but things are closing up behind them after they lost at home to Forest Row III. Mark Symmonds (69no) steered the visitors to a seven-wicket win.

Lingfield IV remain second after Geoff Unwin (55) helped them draw at Hurstpierpoint II.

Stephen Best took 5-21 to bowl Ansty III to a 26-run victory at Keymer & Hassocks, while Paul Summerton (83) was the Dormansland II star in a win at Smallfield II.

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