The big game in Division One between the top two of Brighton A and Worthing A was postponed and moved to a new date of Sunday 29th December.
Tunbridge Wells kept up the pressure on the top two with a narrow 4-3 win against Brighton B at the New Oak. All games went with the break with Alan Brackenridge, Jim Greensted and Jean Brackenridge winning for the hosts and Richard Corbould, Pete Sainsbury, Paul Sainsbury and Curt Driver successful for the visitors.
Redhill A got their first win of the season (in only their second match), and left West Sussex winless, with a 5-2 away from home. Colin Robbins won the first against the break but West Sussex fought back with Kevin Charlton beating the normally reliable Geoff Jukes. The next four games then went with the break with wins for Denise Wills (Redhill A), Daniel Wheal (West Sussex), Dave Constable (Redhill A) and John Slee (Redhill A). The final leg went against the break with Terry Oakley adding the fifth leg.
In a new initiative for this season Division Two and Division Three teams will play once against each other to keep the number of games each league play at ten. In the first round of these fixtures the divisional structure held firm with the higher ranked team winning all four matches.
The closest game was at the Roffey Club with visitors Hastings only losing 4-3 at Horsham despite being a man short. Hastings got off to a great start with Jamie Minihane winning the first against the break but the hosts fought back with Gareth Lloyd and Stuart Carruthers winning the next two. Brian Marten effectively sealed the match with a win in the fourth leg before Hastings took two with the break via Clive Minihane and Sandy Harmer. The last leg to win the match was a walkover to Horsham.
Littlehampton got their first win of the season with a 5-2 win at home to Lewes. The first four legs went with the break with James Whittle and Chris Lawman (Littlehampton) and husband and wife Ric and Jan Bithell (Lewes) gaining the victories. Littlehampton finished strong with wins for Steve Beach, Colin Green and Dave Hampton.
Redhill B kept their 100 percent record by beating Mid Sussex, who were also unbeaten this season going into the game. Martin Pellett started strongly for the hosts before Graham Sparksman levelled the match. The proved to be Mid Sussex’s only leg as Redhill B won the next five with wins for Joe Elleson, Tom Pearse, Martin Greenway, Mark Fraser and Alex Hornby.
Worthing B also continued their good early season form with a 6-1 thrashing of Brighton C. Pete Hickman won the first and Mal Spier made a winning break first chance after Kevin Stoner missed early to make it 2-0. Brian Muggeridge pulled a leg break but it proved to be a false dawn as Alan Messer sealed his leg with a good opening break before Dave Jones sealed the match in a tight fifth leg. Tony Jenner and Rick Cunningham then both hit big in the last two legs.