Both teams are out of form and need to turn around their fortunes sharpish as the season enters its final month.

They occupy the bottom two at present – and with two teams going down at the end of the season, they know what they have to do in the coming weeks.

Chichester can take more heart than Stirlands from the latest round of games.

The prospects for play looked slight at Priory Park as Chichester and Hastings watched the relentless drizzle as the start time approached.

Both teams could have taken the ten points at that point for a rained-off game, but a shortened game was possible and Hastings were the beneficiaries as they went on to win.

It wasn't all doom and gloom for Chichester, though, as they did obtain ten points from the game thanks to spirited performances from a number of their players.

Once Jes Goode had elected to bowl, it was up to the Chichester bowlers to exploit the favourable conditions and Steve Sedgley did just that on his way to five for 81.

However, the 20-year-old model had five catches dropped off his bowling and perhaps deserved more from his 17-over spell.

Sedgley did not receive much support from the other end – certainly in terms of wickets anyway – and despite two late wickets from Gary Austerberry, Hastings were able to score 217 for eight when the declaration came after 45 overs.

Adam Newman top-scored for them with 69 not out.

In reply, Chichester started well in the face of hostile bowling from

John Morgan (3-49) as Mark Bamford and Tim Bishop took the score to 30 before the first wicket was lost.

Wickets continued to fall as Chichester limped to 60 for four.

David Baily (44) and John Haynes (28) provided some stability, but once they fell Hastings, and in particular Mick Glazier (6-78), closed in on a victory they probably deserved.

Austerberry provided some late heroics with 33 off just 13 balls and in doing so provided Chichester with extra batting points and perhaps gave Hastings quite a scare.

But when he was the last man out with the score at 184 Chichester were some 33 runs short of the victory target.

At least Chichester managed ten points from the encounter, but Hastings would have left the park the happier side with 30 points as they continue their push for the title.

Chichester travel to Cuckfield on Saturday, but they should be well prepared given that this week sees their cricket festival, with games every day in Priory Park.

Meanwhile, Stirlands travelled to Preston Nomads on a gloomy and miserable day – and their mood was much like the weather when it was time to go home.

Relegation-threatened Stirlands won the toss and elected to bat on a dry, firm wicket.

But Nick Hobbs and West Indian Carl Simon bowled very well – and the combination of Hobbs' patient line and length and Simon's pace and accuracy was too much for Stirlands to handle.

Stirlands lost opener Max Barson to a loose shot from the first ball he faced as he nicked one behind.

Dave Chordia followed in the next over to Simon, ducking into a ball that was not really short enough and getting bowled off his helmet.

Sean Heather (13) and Daniel Cox (3) showed some resistance but Cox was removed by Simon and Heather followed in the next over.

Apart from Nick Hunt (12), no-one else made double figures and Simon went through the Stirlands batting line up taking six for 22 off 12.4 overs – ably supported by Nick Hobbs with three for 22 off 12, leaving Stirlands bowled out for a dire 46.

Nomads came out on the attack straight away with Michael Gould scoring 19 not out and, although Cox and Anthony Ender bowled with good aggression, the batters had badly under-performed and left Stirlands with no chance of winning the game.

Nomads knocked off the runs in 7.2 overs losing only one wicket.

Stirlands will have to step up a gear if they are to stay in the top flight but captain Heather expects everyone to bounce back against East Grinstead this weekemd.