Brighton and Haywards Heath will represent Sussex in the fourth round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup after sound home wins on Saturday.

Both saw off lower division opposition, Heath having to work for a 28-5 home success over Lewes while Brighton were beating an equally spirited New Milton and District 39-18.

Injured skipper Mark Jenkins watched that Brighton win and was impressed by his club's strength in depth.

He admitted: "It was a no win game for us. We were just pleased to see New Milton come and bring plenty of support.

"They put on a good performance but we played for 80 minutes and they played for about 40."

Jenkins enjoyed the efforts of young prop Stuart Case and hooker Tony Mussel and added: "We haven't had strength in depth in recent years.

"These are the sort of players who could be in our team for the next ten years.

"To have a 22-year-old Brighton boy who still lives and works in Brighton propping for the first team is tremendous."

Paul Pride, Lee Raikes, Andy Light, James Lewis and James Wall scored tries for Brighton.

Mark Gibb, in good form with the boot, added four conversions and two penalties.

Haywards Heath had plenty of pressure against Lewes but had to wait for those scores against some tremendous defence. Full back Andy Cook burst into the line to make the break through with three Owen Ashton penalties either side of half-time making it 14-0.

Quick-thinking from skipper Alex Meredith put the contest beyond doubt as he took a tap penalty and raced 20 yards for a score which Ashton converted.

Former Lewes captain Gordon Denslow rounded it off for the hosts by getting the touch after Heath had driven a lineout over the Lewes line.

Lewes were rewarded late on when Scott Patto's break set up the platform from which prop Paul Lacey powered over.

Meredith admitted: "It certainly wasn't a game for the purists. It was workmanlike but we will have to be more committed as the competition develops."

Bognor lost 20-10 at home to a Portsmouth side from two divisions above them.

Skipper Karl Flynn was a spectator as he rested a troublesome shoulder but he said: "I was very proud of the lads. There is no need to be disappointed. The best side lost for once."

Tom Spurle converted his own try and Andy Shipp kicked a penalty before Portsmouth settled the tie with ten points in the closing stages.

Crawley went down 33-0 at home to Tottonians while Eastbourne and East Grinstead were unable to raise teams for trips to Winchester and London Scottish respectively.

Outside-half Ben Coulson scored a 15-minute try hat-trick as Worthing hit top spot in London Two South.

Coulson piled up 23 points as Wimbledon were outgunned 33-5 at Roundstone Lane.

The Sussex side scored first through lock Charlie McGowan but were just 7-5 up early in the second half.

Forward pressure really began to tell in the last 35 minutes. Flanker Dave Davis stretched the lead with a try, then Coulson added his treble on the back of some great work by the pack.

Coulson also slotted four conversions to complete his tally.