Two teams from Hove Park are celebrating a hat-trick of victories in the Brighton, Hove and District Schools Association finals at Hove.

It is the third year in a row their under-15s and under-16s have won the age groups.

Rob Smith scored three tries to lead the under-16s to a 38-0 final victory over Varndean. Tom Le Mehaute (2), Joe Mitchell and Bradley Mower also touched down.

In a three-way final, the under-15s beat Cardinal Newman 19-7, with tries by Nick Lansdale, Jon Fairhurst and Dean Stemp. They then defeated Blatchington Mill 14-7 as Stemp and Chris Arrow touched down.

Hove Park earlier took the under-12s crown during a consistent season in which they also impressed in the Sussex Schools' Cups.

The under-18s, in their first year, were runners-up to Brighton College, and the under-16s reached the semi-finals and won the Sussex Sevens.

The under-13s were County Cup quarter-finalists, the under-14s Brighton and Hove Sevens runners-up and the under-15s were Sussex Sevens semi-finalists.

Last season Hove Park won the Sussex Under-15s Cup and were runners-up at under-16s.

Joe Brooking, master in charge of rugby, claimed Hove Park are now only second to Chichester High in Sussex among state schools playing rugby.

He said: "To win three district cups out of five, playing some decent rugby, on top of everything else underlines that we are one of the top two state schools playing rugby in Sussex. You have to say only Chichester High are ahead of us because they did so well in the Daily Mail Cup.

"We have developed our own centre of excellence and over the past three years have gone from strength to strength. We've got consistency throughout the age groups.

"The under-15s and under-16s, of course, have done superbly. Three of the under-15s have gone through to the county squad and the under-16s also won the District Sevens.

"The under-12s had a marvellous season, winning 14 out of 15 matches, defeating teams like Brighton College and Christ's Hospital (Horsham). They've won several schools tournaments. The under-13s have provided players for the district squad and a couple of under-14 players have made it through to the county squad.

"The under-18s took Brighton College close in the County Cup final, which was a superb effort considering it was their first season.

"There are several reasons why things have gone so well. One is the effort Gary Kernan, who is coach to the under-12s, has put in. He brought rugby to the school and has done a great job in building it up.

"What has also helped is the formal link with Hove Club. They have helped us with kit and facilities. Some of our players have benefitted from Hove's link with Harlequins and made development squads with the premier club.

"We have players with Brighton Club junior teams too."

Longhill secured a 38-7 victory over Cardinal Newman at under-14s, Karl Stevenson scoring a hat-trick of tries.

Stevenson (2) and Adam Keen touched down while Harry Coker kicked two conversions as Longhill stormed ahead. No.8 Pat Charleton had a try converted by Finn O'Gilvie as Newman fought back. But Stevenson, Jason Lockwood and Chris Ellmore went over and Coker booted two more conversions to help the team follow up their success at under-13s last year.

Blatchington Mill completed a double when they defeated Cardinal Newman 10-0 at under-13s. They won the under-14s cup 12 months ago.

James Mortimer and Josh Reid scored their tries.

Dewi Vaughan, Brighton, Hove and District chairman, believes the finals, which started after Second World War, are still thriving.

He said: "It shows youngsters in Brighton and Hove enjoy their rugby. It also proves Brighton and Hove can play a big part in developing youth in the county."

Tolhurst, who has organised the finals since 1971, said: "Robert Metcalf, who is the Association's president, started it and this year showed it is worthwhile to keep it going."

Four-hundred pupils from 20 teams competed in the competitions which begin with qualifying group matches.

HOVE Park School held a game between the incoming and outgoing captains at Hove Park. The side, led by incoming skipper Rob Smith, drew 31-31 all with the XV of outgoing Paul Nuttall.