Eastbourne College are the kings of Sussex boys hockey.

Leading scorer George Fisher and Stephen King grabbed the goals and Eastbourne now qualify for the South East Region finals at Wycombe on February 20 where they will hope to seal a place in the national finals.

Captain Richard Chilcott, 14, said: "We're going to make it to the nationals finals and hopefully win it overall. I'm reasonably confident we are good enough to go all the way to the finals now and hopefully keep going. The Sussex title is the biggest thing I've won in schools hockey and I'm proud of all the team."

Coach David Miller, who has guided four college teams to the national finals in the past five years, believes the under-14s can go one better. He said: "There's plenty of work to do. But if all goes well, qualification is up for grabs and as the South East competition is likely to be the toughest, anything can happen should we reach the national finals.

"A first win would be lovely. Varndean College are the only Sussex school to have won a national title and that was in 1984. My under-16s were runners-up in 1995 but I'd love the under-14s to go one better."

Miller was particularly pleased that the under-14s were able to lift the Rick Hawkes' Shield. He said: "It's quite poignant. We were the first winners of the shield four years ago and Rick himself, who was at Seaford College, died last year. He was a real gentleman who did so much for hockey."

Chilcott won praise with his all-action midfield style as did Daniel Loman alongside him. Jon Dodds impressed in goal and Harry Rimmer's wing play was also a thorn in the Hurst side, who had goalkeeper James Cobb to thank for some fine saves.

Ardingly College retained their Sussex under-18s crown with the help of versatile Adam Virgo, who also plays football for the college, when they defeated Hurstpierpoint College 2-1. Vice-captain Virgo has played for Albion in the FA Youth Cup this season and helped his college win the English Schools Under-19s Cup last season when he also guided the hockey side to the national finals.

The 17-year-old, lined up for a Youth Alliance game with the Seagulls next week, said: "Our hockey side might not be the most talented but we work hard for each other, we've got a good spirit. We lost some key players from last season's team but things seem to be going okay.

"I love my hockey. I play so much football that it's good to do something different. Although he hopes Ardingly can succeed again in the regionals, football remains his No.1 sport. He said: "I like both but football will always be first."

Tarquin McGregor opened the scoring for Ardingly just after the interval and captain Andrew Beer, who plays for the South of England, hit the second before Tim Price pulled one back for Hurst.

Darryl Todd, master in charge of hockey at Ardingly, believes the football connection was the secret behind his side's success. He said: "Eastbourne College have dominated Sussex for ten years and we were surprised when they got knocked out in the semis by Hurst at under-18s. But we've closed the gap and it has helped having a good football team because several of them are in our hockey side and they are pretty fit."

Ardingly play their regional event against Kent, Buckinghamshire and Middlesex at Seaford College, but Todd has a warning for his side as they prepare. He said: "I'm very excited by the prospect but we will need to play better to win on February 20."

Sackville Community College (East Grinstead) were the only state school winners, taking the under-16s crown with a 3-2 win in a pulsating final against luckless Hurst. Coach Ali Currie said: "There are some very pleasant people in the public schools but it was nice to rub their noses in it. We are disadvantaged compared to public schools when it comes to facilities and help.

"I get no help with the hockey and run four teams at the school on my own so I have to attend training sessions four or five times a week. I'm dedicated, but I do get so much out of it."

Sackville won the under-14s crown in 1997 and 1999. They were also runners-up at under-16s last year. Currie said: "The school is becoming increasingly successful at hockey over the last two or three years and it's fantastic.

"I think it dates back to when we started to use the Astroturf at the East Grinstead Sports Club. The level has gone up phenomenally since then."

Hurst took the lead through Richard Keeling but goals by Alex Keen and Simon Horne put Sackville ahead at the interval. Keen hit the third before Keeling pulled back to put the East Grinstead side under intense pressure for the final ten minutes.

But Currie says he may have to withdraw the team from the regionals at Canterbury on February 20. He said: "Our team was hit by football commitments and now I discover the regionals clash with a school skiing trip and we could lose four of the side. It might not be worth sending a team, but obviously that's the last thing I would want to do."

Poor Hurst earned praise for producing three finalists. Organiser John Smith said: "The fact that the master in charge Vince Thomas brought three sides to the final is an outstanding achievement."

Thomas revealed his College completed the unwanted hat-trick three years ago and that they have lost in all their 11 final appearances in the past six.

He said: "It's obviously very frustrating but I believe it is down to a lack of an Astroturf. We haven't got one and the others have. It's that simple. Hopefully we can get one. It would make a big difference. We'll be back to the finals and hopefully start winning them."

Thomas singled out Price, Keeling, Jon Pye, Luke Rees and Robert Cundey for praise, while England training squad aces Peter Thomas (under-18s) and Tom Harrison (under-16s) played their part.

He said: "Tom (Price) played in the under-16s and under-18s finals which must have been tiring. Richard, Jon, Luke, Robert, Peter and Tom Harrison were all impressive."

The sportsmanship at the finals impressed umpires Kevin Burge, David Colbourne and John Moss. Colbourne said: "lt was a pleasure to umpire hockey of a high standard and played in such a sporting manner."

Tournament organiser Alan Grey also had entries from Brighton College, Dorothy Stringer (Brighton), Lancing College and Seaford College Bexhill, Worthing and Lewes Tertiary College.

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