Just two Sussex League games survive washout

However play was possible in two Premier League matches and the only one played for full points saw Horsham take a maximum 30 from a 116 run victory at Eastbourne to become the early leaders in the title chase.

Stirling work by groundsman Jamie Ramsden meant play was only delayed by 30 minutes at the Saffrons but, unusually, the two drinks breaks saw both teams served with hot coffee rather than the traditional orange squash.

Eastbourne won the toss and put Horsham in to bat but dropped catches cost them dearly and the visitors reached 214 for 6 declared from their maximum 53 overs.

Will Beer with 69 and James Johnson, who made 55, led the rungetters while David Twine, a 19 year-old pace bowler making his Eastbourne debut, was the pick of the bowlers, he took 4 for 50 in 13.1 overs.

The Eastbourne reply stuttered from the start and they were eventually dismissed for 93 in 40.5 overs with leg-spinner Michael Munday taking 4 for 24 from 8.5 overs.

Top scorer for the home side was Matt Cooke with a swashbuckling 25 at the end of the innings.

Play was not possible at Brighton and Hove,where Bexhill were the visitors, until 3.30 so the teams battled out a 20/20 clash for points.

Brighton won the toss and reached 131 for 5 from their 20 overs, Tim Jarvis hit 49 and Sussex triallist Michael Rippon from South Africa made 39 not out.

Bexhill skipper Malcolm Johnson led his side to victory with 58 not out as they reached 132 for 4 with an over to spare. Chris Atherton was the pick of the bowlers, he took 3 for 20