SAM JONES blasted 116 in Portslade's five-wicket win at Southwater on Saturday which moved them up a place to third in the West Sussex Invitation League table.
Chasing 225 to win, Portslade lost Andrew Reid with just 12 runs on the board but Jones and Tom Van Der Neut then put on 172 for the second wicket to get Portslade in pole position.
After Jones was out, four more quick wickets fell but Van Der Neu
t guided Portslade home and finished unbeaten on 80.
Earlier, Portslade captain Alex Smith and Steven Case had both taken three wickets in Southwater's total of 224-8. Johann Brouwer top-scored with 114.
Smith said: "We did extremely well, Sam's innings was fantastic, and the best I've seen him play in a long time. He was in a mood to hit everything.
"Our target for the season now is definitely second. We want to top our little mini league. But it's a bit of a shame we've missed out on a few games we should have won to put us right up with Broadwater."
Portslade's 2nd XI stormed to the top of Division 2 after a nine-wicket victory over previous leaders Southwater. Shaun Chambers and Jamie Howick both took four wickets as Southwater were bowled out for 113, Tom Robins then hit 75 not out to get Portslade home. The 3rd XI, who included six under-14s, chased down 223 to beat Forest Row in the Mid-Sussex Conference Cup.
Southwick slipped a place down to fourth in Division 2 after a six-wicket defeat at home to Serendib, who leapfrogged them into third.
Both Wickers openers fell without contributing a run and Southwick were soon 16-3. Paceman Paul Grennan was promoted up the order to No 3 and scored a patient 30 before he was fifth man out with the score on 74.
Captain Chris Summers boosted Southwick's total with a 38-ball 49, which included four fours and two sixes, before Wickers were dismissed for 165. Anas grabbed five wickets for Serendib – four clean bowled.
Serendib then comfortably reached their target after recovering from 63-3 with a 100-run stand for the fourth wicket between Shihan, who scored 51 not out, and Shiyan, who was out for 58 to Nick Taylor's first ball of the match, with just three needed to win.
Summers said: "We didn't have much luck again – we seem to have used it all up when we were on our winning run. But it's all swings and roundabouts, so I'm sure it will turn around soon.
"The wicket was a bit damp but we knew it would be fine after 10 overs, so were looking to score around 200 but, apart from Paul Grennan, no one applied themselves. A lot of our batsmen were bowled and I think that was because we were lazy with our shots."
Wickers' 2nd XI's game at leaders Three Bridges 3rd in Division 1, ended in a draw. Steve Martin took five wickets as Bridges scored 193-8. Southwick then replied with 142-9. Ben Geralds top-scored with 42.
Southwick captain Stuart McNeill said: "It was a good game and both teams had opportunities to secure the win. At one stage, we had them 140-8 but, unfortunately, let them get away. But, they are unbeaten, so I was happy with a draw."
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