Haywards Heath under-11s were inspired to Sussex Minis Festival glory by first team captain Alex Meredith.

Heath secured their fourth county crown in five years with a 25-15 victory against hosts Lewes.

The evening before the final, Meredith, captain of Heath's national three south team, conducted a training session with the youngsters helped by hooker Huw Jenkins.

Under-11s coach Eric Walsh said: "It gave the lads a boost to receive tips from players they look up to and gave them an extra edge on the day.

"The club has a good junior and minis set-up and the senior players help out.

"It paid off this season because we have produced four county finalists.

"The secret of the under-11s' success is having talented guys who are good athletes and quick learners with a good team spirit. Positive parental support helped too."

A hat-trick of tries from Dominic Fry and two by Matthew Lasis sealed success. Tom Bowen scored three touchdowns for Lewes.

Last week Heath under-13s won the county title.

Heath under-16s lost 7-3 to Eastbourne in their final. The under-12s can complete a hat-trick of junior county final wins for the club this season.

Their final was postponed because Brighton had a fixture clash.

The under-nines' final between Crowborough and Chichester must also be re-scheduled.

Brighton under-12s won their age group at the Worthing Minis Festival.

They defeated Burry Port 5-0 with a William Duffell try in the final. It was revenge for a 10-5 reverse against the Welsh side in a bruising group match, when Duffell again touched down.

Brighton beat Beccehamians 20-5 in the semi-finals with Darion Naylor (3) and Harry Leonard scoring tries.

They won their quarter-final against Cobham on a toss of a coin after a 5-5 draw, Naylor scoring another try.

Brighton defeated Windsor II 30-0 (Naylor 2, Oliver Richards, Duffell, James Kinsella and Leonard) and Westcombe Park (Naylor 2, Craig Holland 3) in their other group games.

Brighton competed a hat-trick with two more wins at the Worthing Festival.

Their teams won the under-11 and under-nines' shield competitions with victories against Uckfield 5-0 and Beccehamians (Kent) 15-5 in the finals.

Crowborough beat Crawley 10-0 to take the under-11s' plate and their under-sevens defeated Beccehamians 10-5 in the Shield final.

Hove took the under-tens' plate with a 5-0 victory over Sevenoaks and Crawley the under-12s plate after a 10-5 triumph against Worthing.

Over 1,500 players from 16 clubs took part in the festival.