It was a one-sided affair as Stirlands and Chichester Priory Park staged their first local derby of the Premier League season – but Stirlands were left to rue their failure to finish off their visitors.
Stirlands won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket that looked like it would favour the batsmen.
They lost an early wicket, but Nick Hunt and Sean Heather then made the most of early wayward bowling.
Hunt (20) was out with the score on 51 before Danny Cox came in to bat cautiously, while Heather was dismissive of anything short and he brought up his 50 off 50 balls.
As Heather reached the 90s, he seemed to lose concentration against Mark Bamford's bowling and hit a short ball straight to Jes Goode at square leg.
Click here for all the latest Sussex League tables and resultsStirlands continued to score freely despite a good spell from Bamford and James Stedman.
Stirlands were 176 for six with 15 overs to go when Max Barson and Anthony Ender came in.
They needed another good partnership – and got it. Ender (61no) and Barson (53) put on 120 for the eighth wicket.
Ender was particularly brutal, scoring his 61 off 37 balls including six fours and two sixes as Stirlands ended on 296 for seven in 57 overs.
Chichester lost two wickets early, with Cox removing Bamford and Nathan Ball dismissing John Edwards.
Tim Bishop, Chichester's Australian, had to retire hurt after being hit by a bouncer and cutting his eyebrow, requiring several stitches at St Richard's Hospital.
Goode and Dave Leaver went about rebuilding the Chichester innings, with Leaver playing some lovely back-foot shots. Stirlands kept Chichester under pressure and got rid of Goode for 24 just as he was looking to settle in.
Leaver brought up a well-deserved 50, but could not stop the fall of wickets around him. He fell for 68 off 80 balls and Stirlands felt they could go through the rest of the tail.
But Matt Geffen and Stedman had other ideas, and survived good bowling from Cox and Ball.
Stirlands were being frustrated but Hunt removed Geffen, leaving the hosts 3.2 overs to get the final wicket.
A stitched-up Bishop returned and helped Stedman hold out for the draw and secure eight points.
Stirlands skipper Heather said: "We gained 14 points and feel we have sent out a message to the rest of the league.
"We are in the Premier League to compete and can perform as well as anyone at this level."
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