Worthing's junior golfers will not have too long to celebrate their outstanding achievements in the Home Nations Championship.

The qualifying process begins all over again in a few weeks against teams from Sussex.

If Worthing get through county and the regional qualifiers they can look forward to defending their title in 2007.

That is a long way off. In the meantime, manager Kieron Judges and his side are enjoying their triumph in La Manga last week where they saw off the best young players in Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

Five of the seven-man team will be available to defend the title with only skipper Peter Tarver-Jones and Jack Bartlett dropping out. Jack Ashby has been appointed the new captain.

Darren Renwick, who was on England duty in South Africa and could not make it to Spain, will also be eligible, international commitments permitting.

Worthing are laying on a reception for the team on February 16 when Judges admits they may be more in the partying mood than they were at La Manga.

He said: "Most of the team had an early night after we won because they were all so knackered. It was a tough week, mentally and physically, but very satisfying.

"Three of us did stay up to celebrate with the Irish team from Belvoir Park, who were a great bunch."

Scotland's Craigielaw were favourites over La Manga's south course and Worthing held them to a 3-3 draw on day one.

The following day, when David Tulley replaced Abi Cammack in the six-man team, Worthing thrashed Belvoir Park 4.5-1.5 to set up the last day decider.

Judges said: "Craigielaw were the favourites but when we got there and saw the handicaps Belvoir Park were definitely stronger than them so it was a great result to beat them."

Craigielaw trounced Conwy 5.5-0.5 which meant the English and Scots were level on 1.5 points each going into the deciding final day.

Worthing did their bit by defeating Conwy 4-2 and then they had to sit and wait for the other match to finish.

It was now that Belvoir Park showed their class, thrashing Craigielaw 5-1. The Scots' only point came when Ryan McLarnon retired because of a hand injury.

Tarver-Jones, the current Sussex Boys champion, returned the lowest gross score overall with 226 (74, 77, 75) and that was enough to earn him the Paul Casey Trophy at the prize-giving when BBC golf commentator Alex Hay did the honours.

Tarver-Jones presented his prize, a rescue club signed by Ryder Cup star Casey, to Judges.

The team will be getting together next Thursday to watch Sky Sports' coverage of the event before preparation for their title defence gets underway.

Worthing club captain David Nicholls praised the performance of the side.

He said: "They did themselves and the club proud.

Our total junior strength is something under 100 and talent is coming through all the time."