Hove held on for a tense cup win over their old rivals, then targeted a first final appearance in 11 years.

John Oades' side led Eastbourne 16-0 after 19 minutes of their Sussex Trophy quarter-final on Sunday.

They eventually won 22-19, helped by the boot of Martin Lovell and a storming display by the pack, to clinch a tough-looking semi-final away to Chichester.

Worthing will host holders Haywards Heath in the last four, both ties to be played on Sunday, March 24.

Both finalists qualify for the Senior National Cup, which will give added spice to the contests at Oaklands Park and Roundstone Lane.

Hove skipper John Oades said: "We are in a winning habit at the moment. We would have preferred to have been more dominant on Sunday but we were pleased to get through.

"I was really happy with our defence. A month ago we would have lost that game."

Eastbourne, who return to Hove Park next Saturday chasing promotion points, gave their hosts a helping hand by completely losing their composure in the face of early pressure.

Lovell kicked three penalties, then added the extra points to a gift of a penalty try.

Matt Cockayne was the offender by diving into a close range scrum and grabbing the ball, although the original position had been set-up by Eastbourne's kamikaze attempts at a quick lineout deep in their own 22.

Adrian Norwood returned from the sin bin to round off a slick handling move as Eastbourne finished the half strongly.

Jason Hammond and Richard Jackson were rather unluckily yellow-carded early in the second half for Hove, but the 13 men held out defiantly.

Two Lovell penalties increased the lead to 22-5 but Eastbourne produced two great tries in the last seven minutes.

Ollie Cummings' dazzling break put in Danny Craven, who himself had just returned from the sin bin.

Simon Pascoe also crossed after a sweeping move, with Cummings converting both tries, but it was all too late.

Worthing must topple the favourites if they are to reach a third successive Sussex Trophy final. They eventually ground down Lewes at the Stanley Turner Ground for a 35-8 win.

Coach Ian Davies was pleased with the performance and cautiously optimistic about the next cup challenge.

Ben Coulson slotted three first half penalties for Worthing but Dave Tyrrell replied to make it 9-3 at the break.

Tries from Andy Phillips, Danny Piggott and Charlie McCurrich in a 20-minute spell, all goaled by Coulson, settled the contest.

Lewes replied through flanker Ross Armour but Raynn Bruce went over five minutes from time.

Chichester believe they can make the National Cup for the first time after their impressive 24-8 win in an entertaining clash at Heathfield and Waldron.

Heath dominated the opening quarter and scored through a Dan Ellis try and a Jamie Marchant penalty.

Declan Hutchings threw Chi a lifeline just before the break when he picked up at the back of a scrum and powered over. Tom Polhill and Phil Jones struck after the break. Nick Stanton kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Long-serving Chichester prop Frank Corby still recalls their last semi, which ended in defeat to Horsham eight years ago.

Chi remainunbeaten at home this season and Corby said: "We are very pleased with the draw. Playing at home to Hove is the best we could have asked for."