Priory back on top

Priory won away to bottom club Pulborough on Saturday, while previous Premier Division pacesetters Preston Nomads and third-placed Horsham fought out a draw.

The new leaders bowled Pulborough out for 84 with teenage paceman Joynal Ahmed taking 4-20. Sussex professional Matt Machan then hit 53 not out to secure a six-wicket victory and a 15-point cushion.

Elsewhere, Bexhill endured more frustration as they had to settle for a draw in a Division Two match they dominated at home to Goring By Sea.

Bexhill rattled up 248-1 declared thanks largely to an unbroken second wicket stand of 179 between Malcolm Johnson (111 not out) and Tom Powell (69 not out) after Tim Hambridge had made 48. Chris Topp took 5-49 as Goring ended their reply on 178-9.

Sidley were knocked off the top of Division Three (East) on the back of a comprehensive defeat at Ansty. The hosts made 203-6 batting first despite four wickets for Scott Woodroffe. Sidley were all out for 123 in reply, Paul Thompson top-scoring with 31.

Crowhurst Park were beaten at home by new leaders Hellingly. Park totalled 202 batting first with Bradley Payne (45) leading the way, but Hellingly knocked the runs off for the loss of six wickets - three of them to Martin Menezes.

Full reports on each of these games will appear in Friday’s Observers.