Sussex will be hoping for another big blowout tomorrow.

They face Devon at Lancing in the South West Counties Championship final, and will aim to avoid the flat start they had to the season.

Manager Nick Greenwood this week reminded his players of their bumpy ride back in November.

On the way to Gwent for the opening game, a coach tyre blew and it had to limp up the motorway under a police escort.

John Snelgrove, who will be in the frontline for the Devon challenge, hopes he can steer Sussex into the fast lane to clinch their fifth county championship.

The Langney Sports striker, who has hit 33 goals this season, said: "We couldn't help but laugh at training this week about that night.

"It was so bizarre being escorted to Newport. We arrived in style you could say. They drew 0-0 that night, but since everything has gone right for them. They won their remaining four matches to pip Hampshire tand qualify for the final.

Greenwood's hand has been boosted by the biggest embarrassment of goalscoring riches he could assemble.

In Snelgrove, Matt Russell, Matt Allen and Gavin Geddes, he has a deadly strikeforce that has hit over 150 goals between them.

Snelgrove said: "Playing alongside Matt Russell, Matt Allen and Gavin Geddes has been a wonderful experience.

"They're all extremely good players and it just makes competition for places so intense. The goalscoring quality in the side has easily been the deciding factor in us reaching the final."

Russell is equally impressed. The Horsham YMCA striker, who has struck 49 goals, believes he and his counterparts all have different strengths.

The 21-year-old university student, who has just completed a trial at Chartlon Athletic, said: "Gavin's good at holding the ball, Matt's a good crosser, John's great at flick-ons and I'm good at getting on the end of them."

Greenwood has been impressed with the support he has received from Sussex manager in allowing players to be released for county duty. It has also helped having nine Langney Sports players in the squad.

Devon are a traditionally strong county in the championship, mainly boosted by a high percentage of Tiverton players.

This season they edged out Wiltshire to make the final.

Sussex squad: Chatfield (Redhill), Lightwood, Baker, Burt, Ducille, C Willard, Pearce, Snelgrove, Agutter, Allen (Langney Sports), Austin (Eastbourne T), Godden (Sidley), Smart, Geddes (Horsham), Lutwyche (Burgess Hill), Russell (Horsham YMCA), Lovett (Crawley).

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