Haywards Heath have won back the coveted Sussex Trophy but they will not achieve their main goal for the season playing like this.

Heath, who host Reading in a play-off for a national league place next Saturday, had to come from 17-0 down to beat Chichester 39-32 after extra-time in the county final at Roundstone Lane.

Chichester, who play three divisions below their opponents, outscored them 5-4 on tries in normal time and that would have been enough to grab the trophy had they held on for five more minutes in the extra period.

Instead, full back Andy Cook threw a dummy and raced 25 yards for the corner, with Owen Ashton's conversion finally breaking the resilience of the impressive underdogs.

Chi, who had already achieved their main target of the season by topping London Four South East, received a huge ovation from their sizeable travelling support and returned the compliment.

For Heath though, the serious planning is just starting as Reading stand between them and a place in National Three South.

Cook admitted: "If Reading have got any people here I assume they are going home very happy and thinking they are going to tonk us.

"We have always had the element of a Jekyll and Hyde team and I think we have got to show the other side next week.

"I have confidence that we will at home.

"There has has been an element of looking forward to that game all week and that is probably reflected in the fact that we have come out and played like we did today.

"The difference between us and the team a few years ago is probably to look at 17-0 down and not panic.

"To be 32-32 at full-time is a bit too close for comfort but it's nice to come through it.

"All credit to Chichester though. They played a very strong game."

There were a few grumbles around the well-populated touchlines about the number of basic handling errors, especially by Heath.

Fair comment, but the drama, commitment and flashes of attacking inspiration made it easy to look past the knock ons and enjoy the most exciting county final for years.

Simon Bradford was on fire in a stunning opening which saw him score two tries and kick through for right winger Tim Rogers to grab the first of his hat-trick.

At that stage Heath were 17-0 adrift and making all sorts of errors but prop Darren Shadbolt plunged over in support of a Dave Wattam burst and Stuart Charnley's boot reduced arrears to seven by the break.

With Chi No. 8 John Benfield in the sin bin, it seemed the favourites would take over but instead Rogers weaved his way through and Nick Stanton converted just five minutes after the re-start.

Skipper Alex Meredith lifted Heath with stunning solo try and the initial break which led to Giles Goodburn adding a trademark chip and chase effort.

Replacement Ashton goaled from wide out, then added a simple conversion after Jon Graham had jinked past two tackles and got to the posts.

Heath supporters breathed a sigh of relief and looked for their side to add to their 29-24 lead.

Instead Stanton's classic outside break set up Rogers' third try to level it.

Ashton re-started the celebrations with a cleverly improvised drop goal three minutes from time, only for Stanton to drill a penalty though the bitter easterly wind and force extra-time.

Heath were on top throughout the extra period but it took an long time for them to break through and Chi skipper Ben Polhill admitted he thought victory was in sight.

He said: "It was an awesome effort from one to 22. Our players gave all they have got and were crawling off the pitch at the end.

"We thought we could have held on but Haywards Heath are a very strong side.

"They are potentially a National League side next year but that's the standard we set ourselves and I think we are moving in the right direction."

For Sussex rugby fans now though, there is only one direction to head in.

Whitemans Green at 3pm next Saturday for the big one.

Haywards Heath: Cook, Charnley, G. Goodburn, Stocker, H. Goodburn, Jon Graham, Meredith; Shadbolt, Gribble, Edwards, Ure, Dinsdale, Arthur, Rankin, Wattam. Reps: Rolandi, Ashton, Denslow, Killick, Justin Graham, Pymm, Sherwood.

Chichester: R. Johnson, Rogers, T. Polhill, Stephen Bradford, Webster, Stanton, Simon Bradford; Clarkson, O'Hagan, Corby, Turner, Adfield, B. Polhill, Benfield, Knight-Barnard. Reps: M. Johnson, Smallman, Davis Heath scorers: Shadbolt 1T (31), Meredith 1T (49), G. Goodburn 1T (59), Graham 1T (62), Cook 1T (96), Charnley 1C (31) 1PG (37), Ashton 3C (59, 62, 96) 1DG (77).

Chichester scorers: Simon Bradford 2T (2, 7), Rogers 3T (27, 45, 68), Stanton 2C (2, 45) 1PG (78).