Ben Dudley put Worthing on course for knockout glory, then admitted his team are prepared for the worst in their league title bid.

Dudley produced the clever solo finish which turned the tide after Lewes had taken an early lead in Sunday's Greene King Sussex Trophy final at Waterhall.

Worthing went on to score eight tries against some dogged Lewes defence as they won the senior county knockout competition for the third time in four seasons.

They also tuned up nicely for Saturday's finale to the London One season when they will clinch the title if they beat Canterbury by more points than Cambridge defeat Basingstoke.

Whatever happens, Worthing are guaranteed at least a play-off for promotion to National Three and outside half Dudley reckons they must prepare for that worst-case scenario.

He said: "We're ready for next week but realistically we've got to get into our heads that we've got a play-off.

"That way we're mentally prepared if it comes about, rather than beating Canterbury and then having to get our heads round it in that final week.

"Two more wins, though, and we're definitely up and no one can take it away from us."

Worthing rested scrum half Mike Imrie and hooker Simon Alcott for the well-attended county showpiece but they will come back into the reckoning for the league decider.

Coach Mick Orton said: "We'll work on things in the week. Another performance and another score like that could be enough. That's what we've got to believe."

Although Worthing eventually over-powered them, Orton was impressed with the test Lewes offered his men.

They took the lead when wing Scott Patto went over untouched after an overlap had been cleverly created.

Orton said: "Give Lewes full credit for never giving in. It was a good game even though the score reflects differently."

Lewes, who play a division below Worthing, were not helped by the fact Ben Coulson had a near-perfect day with the boot.

He kicked nine out of ten, the only miss being a wide-angle conversion right on full-time.

Coulson's penalty got Worthing off the mark and Dudley dummied his way over to put them ahead after Mark Barnard failed to hold a difficult pass in the Lewes midfield.

Dudley said: "To be honest, one of their guys fell over and it made it easier to get round him.

"The try came because we did what we said we were going to do. We said we would spread the ball a little bit wider and that opened up gaps a little bit more."

Barnard was in the sin-bin when Dudley's long pass sent left-wing flyer Gavin Stephens in and Jamie Stuart-McDonald scored in support of a Terry Butler break to open up a 27-5 half-time lead.

Andy Phillips, Duncan Taylor and Terry Butler added second-half scores, Rowan O'Gorman was driven over for his customary try and Ryan Storer rounded things off.

The tally would have been more had Lewes, who have some dangerous runners of their own, dropped their defensive guard at any time.

Both sides have moved on from last year's final, when Worthing ground out a fairly dull 20-5 win.

Lewes coach Paul Taylor said: "Worthing have definitely improved.

"They are better organised, the pace of their game is a lot better and they move the ball wider.

"We've progressed as well because we've played in a better league this season.

"All credit to our boys, they kept at it. We've got to learn from that and aim to raise our level to get where Worthing are."