Thrree Bridges recovered from their heavy defeat by Chichester last week to enjoy a surprise home win against Eastbourne in the Sussex Premier League at Three Bridges Road on Saturday.

There were plenty of runs scored as Eastbourne, batting first, declared at 252-4 with Mark Tomsett hitting 153 not out and Jack Hepburn making 54, while for Bridges, Danny Alderman took two for 37.

However Bridges took up the challenge as skipper Mark Newell hit 53, Alderman 54 and Sam Allborough with an unbeaten 40 took the home side to victory at 252 for five.

Ifield also gained their first win of the season when they beat Middleton by 49 runs in their first home game since taking their place in the newly-formed Sussex League Division Three West.

Crawley were also playing their first home game of the season but suffered a 37-run defeat at the hands of Ansty in Division Three East.

Crawley Eagles flew to the top of the Sussex Invitation League Division One with a four-wicket victory away to Southwick.

Fallah scored an unbeaten 76, while Amir grabbed 5-29 to dismiss Southwick for 139 all out. Eagles reached 140 in 49.2 overs for the loss of six wickets.

Results
Sussex Premier League
Brighton & Hove 261 (13pts) (Tim Jarvis 65, George Ledden 51 not out, Jason Shelford 6-74) Cuckfield 224-7 (12pts) Cuckfield deducted 2pts for slow over rate
Horsham 228-8 dec (14pts) (Michael Thornely 97, Luke Marshall 54) East Grinstead 188-9 (11pts)
Preston Nomads 298-6 dec (30pts) (Michael Gould 67, Kashif Ibrahim 61), Hastings 122 (6pts) (Nick Hobbs 5-58)
Stirlands 296-7 dec (14pts) (Anthony Elder 61, Max Barson 53) Chichester 169-9 (8pts) (David Leaver 68)
Eastbourne 252-4 dec (12pts) (Mark Tomsett 153 not out, Jack Hepburn 54) Three Bridges 254-5 (24pts) (Danny Alderman 54, Mark Newell 53)

Second XIs Division One
Brighton and Hove 260-5 dec (13pts) (Ford 150-10) Cuckfield 261-7 (20) (Abraham 76)
East Grinstead 93 (1pt) Horsham 95-2 (30pts) (Sam Attfield 58*)
astbourne 232-5 dec (12pts) (Michael Pannett 57, Mark Trubshaw 53) Three Bridges 233-4 (H.El Haq 60*, Mark Church 64*)
Hastings 226 (30) (Dale Payne 70, Salam 7-67) Preston N 180 (14) (Gibson 58)
Littlehampton 189 (10pts) (Richard Hanks 80, George Taylor 5-62) St James 190-4 (30pts) (Russell Piper 96 not out)

Third XIs
Horsham 221 (13pts) (Graham Irwin 70) Middleton 222-6 (30pts) (Ellis Woolley 67)
Three Bridges 214-9 dec (30pts) Chichester 91 (8pts) (Danny Biden 5-23)
Brighton 242-8 dec (14pts) (David Wynn 80) Worthing 196-9 (12pts)

Full reports and pictures in Wednesday's Observer