Sussex under-19s have been hailed the best junior side from the county in more than 30 years.

The team enjoyed a champagne celebration after retaining the South youth and schoolboys' title with victories over Kent and Surrey at Canterbury.

Sussex won all seven fixtures, scored 23 goals and conceded just two.

Manager Alan Grey, who has been involved in Sussex junior hockey for 30 years, said: "This is the best Sussex county junior team of all time because they are the first to successfully defend the premier age group crown in the South.

"We won the title in the early Nineties with a team that included Ben Barnes, who went on to be a senior British international, but even his side couldn't repeat the success. The current team are that little bit better.

"It is rare to go through an entire season winning every game and the goals against record shows just how strong the defence was.

"I won't pick out individuals. It was a tremendous team effort and the coaching of Paul Robinson and Mike Aherne played a big part in the success."

The final matches were vital because Kent and Surrey could have overtaken Sussex.

Sussex pipped Kent 2-1 thanks to goals by Kenny Rogers (Brighton HC) and James Lester (Chichester Tech).

It meant Sussex only needed to draw with Surrey but a last-minute Rob Lowe (Southwick HC) goal secured a 1-0 triumph.

Goalkeeper Matt Narracott (Eastbourne College) was sidelined with a dislocated shoulder and his deputy David Bell (Brighton College) was ill. But James Lane (East Grinstead HC) came in and did a superb job.

Captain Phil Ball, 17, was a member of last year's side.

Ball, a pupil at Bognor Community College, said: "It is flattering that Alan Grey says we're the best Sussex side because if anyone is in a position to judge it is him.

"I'm chuffed after being part of our previous triumph. I was proud to come back as skipper and I might return for a bid at a hat-trick if Sussex want me next year.

"We had to do it the hard way but we proved we were pretty good.

"We took every match seriously, helped each other along and showed we were a solid side without any weaknesses.

"I like to think I played my part as captain because I tried to be professional. I am vocal on the pitch with a balance of encouragement and criticism.

"I wasn't exactly quiet in the dressing room either, I added my pennyworth after the manager and coaches had spoken to the lads."

Ball, who plays for Chichester's first team, dedicated the triumph to his dad Malcolm and departing coach Robinson.

He said: "My dad has always been there for me, driving me around all over the place, and we all wanted to make sure Paul was part of successive title successes.

"Winning it once is hard but winning it again was harder."

Sussex under-19s: James Lane (East Grinstead), Ed Miller (Eastbourne College), Kieran Henn (Chichester), Kenny Rogers (Brighton HC), Alex Warner (Seaford College), Tim Barber (East Grinstead HC), Tom Gogarty (Hurstpierpoint College), Phil Ball (Chichester), capt, James Lester (Chichester Tech), Sam Rose (Brighton HC), Christian Kimber (Eastbourne College), Rob Lowe (Southwick), Jonathan Haynes (Chichester HC), David Roberts (Lewes), Robert Glazbrook (Eastbourne College).

Sussex under-16s finished third in their championship.

They completed the season with a 3-3 draw with Surrey and a 6-0 defeat against Kent.

EASTBOURNE College have reached the national school and college girls under-18 finals.

They went through after winning the South section at Surbiton in dramatic fashion.

The team went into their final match against Godolphin and Latimer needing to win by a hatful to ensure a final spot.

They won 4-0 with goals from Susie Hunt (2), Becky Stewart and Bell Stewart.

But they had to rely on Kingston being held to a surprise draw against Henry Box to clinch their spot at Beeston Hockey Club, Nottingham, on February 27.

Manager David Miller said: "I'm smiling from ear to ear but it was a close run thing."

Earlier, Eastbourne had 3-0 victories over Henry Box and Pangbourne but were 2-0 down against national champions Kingston Grammar, who denied them a final place last year.

But they battled back to draw thanks to a short corner from Becky Stewart and a Harriet Roe equaliser.

Eastbourne College then had a nail-biting 2-1 win over Beaconsfield, who included England international Sam Archer.

Laura Clarke and captain Bella Stewart gave them a 2-0 advantage.

They wobbled against Farnborough but a last-minute goal from Alex Flavell secured a 1-0 victory.

Eastbourne College: Caitlin Lower, Becky Stewart, Bella Stewart, Laura Cobden, Charlene Little, Susie Hunt, Rosie Eckert, Jenny Stevens, Milly Kruger, Harriet Roe, Charlotte Leckie, Jenna Pain,Rosanna Dean, Rachel Hopkinson, Ellie Barnes, Alex Flavell, Zoe Morton, Laura Clarke.

mike.donovan @theargus.co.uk