Tim Garner was Captain Fantastic as he helped Sussex secure their first National Inter County Championship crown in 26 years.

Garner, 30, from East Grinstead, clinched the match in the deciding rubber as the county pipped Kent 3-2 after recovering from 2-0 down.

Garner insisted it was the team's last chance after four final flops and dedicated the victory to his team mates and Sussex junior organiser Peter Sice.

He said: "We wanted to do it for each other and for Peter, who did so much for us when we all came through the county ranks.

"It was our last throw of the dice. Fortunately we managed to get together our strongest team. I should have been in Montreal trying to get world ranking points but I wanted to be there for my county. Years ago I set this victory out as one of my major goals in squash."

The team, which included Garner, Angus Kirkland, 30, Peter Genever, 27, Julian Wellings, 28, and Tim Vail, 23, celebrated by eating chocolate cake.

Garner said: "It was Angus's 30th birthday. This is a big thing for us and for Sussex. It is only the third time the county have won it since it started in 1929. I was relieved and ecstatic."

Garner had to beat highly-rated 20-year-old Adrian Grant to clinch a see-saw final rubber 3-2. He said: "I felt tired but I knew I would be gutted if I lost. He began to tire and I was able to take advantage."

Tim Vail, from Chichester, hauled Sussex back when they trailed 2-0 after Kirkland (Hove) and Wellings (Haywards Heath) were defeated by Abou Taleb and John Russell respectively.

Vail was 2-0 down before clawing back to win 3-2 against Ben Ford.

He said: "There was a lot of pressure. It felt brilliant to get through it."

Genever scored a 3-1 victory over England No.2 Paul Johnson to level.

Sussex whitewashed the hosts Nottinghamshire 5-0.

The county's women were without injured Linda Charman, the world No.4, as they lost 5-0 to Lancashire in their semi-final.