Party time for Sussex champions H&B

The local club was crowned Division One champions on the back of a 43-12 victory over second-from-bottom Pulborough at William Parker Sports College.

The success ended years of frustration including no less than five promotion play-off defeats in the last six seasons.

Captain Kit Claughton said: "After the disappointment of last season and for much of this season thinking it's out of our hands, it was particularly nice to get that trophy."

H&B finished a point clear of runners-up Horsham after winning their final 11 league games stretching back to early December.

There can be little doubting the worthiness of their triumph because H&B lost fewer matches, scored more points and conceded less points than any of their rivals.

They can now look forward to September when they will commence their first season in the higher rank London Leagues since 1991-92.

Their opponents in South East Division Four will include 2005-06 Sussex League winners Crowborough and their EDF Energy Junior Vase conquerors Whitstable.

Other destinations on the fixture list will be Beccehamian, Bognor, Bromley, Charlton Park, Folkestone and Hove.

The line-up will be completed by either Horsham or Kent League runners-up Park House, who will contest the dreaded promotion play-off.

"I think we've got the talent in the side to push a bit further than just avoiding relegation and I can't see why we can't finish in the top half," added Claughton.

H&B hope their success will attract a few new players to supplement the existing talent.