Sussex teams that reach the later stages of the National Village Cricket Competition could find themselves playing skittles, darts, tiddlywinks or bar billiards to progress.

Clubs located in areas affected by the Foot and Mouth crisis are being advised to either switch venue or meet in a hostelry and decide upon a winner by other means.

Competition spokeswoman Sue White said: "The secondary objective of the competition will still be achieved if clubs can meet in a congenial way other than on the cricket ground. The chief thing is to have fun."

No Sussex clubs involved in this season's competiton are affected by the outbreak but they could be if they drew a Foot and Mouth affected club later on.

The Sussex Sixth Form College League season was cut to one day. Because colleges are this season breaking up three weeks earlier, the six week campaign was already reduced to three. But bad weather has left them playing a tournament on Wednesday to decide the season.

Caroline atkins and Charlotte Burton appear to have been Sussex Girls U-19s' lucky mascots. The duo have played in all six finals Sussex have reached, four of which they helped their county triumph. The most recent success was last season's National U-19s Trophy win against Staffordshire, held over to last weekend as it was postponed last year due to the fuel crisis.

Alfriston got a head start in the Cuckmere Valley League with a little help from the Harmers. All four family members were involved in a nine wicket home win over East Dean. And their delight was doubled when they heard every other match in the league had been called off with pitches still too wet. Medium-pacer Matthew Harmer, 18, bagged 5-23 and 22-year-old brother Simon span his way to 2-10 as East Dean were rushed out for 64. The duo's dad John, 48, then hit a valuable 20 alongside new opener Lee Poulton, who was unbeaten on 40. Meanwhile mum Barbara was tallying it all up as team scorer.

Sussex cricket will be missing Hove Spartans this summer after 40 years on the circuit. The club were unable to find enough players to raise a regular team and have merged with Clarendon, a club that is only 14 years old, and the name of the side will be Clarendon Spartans. A sad end to a long history.

John Smith, who was turning out for Seaford Seagulls, might not be known as the monster like his namesake John 'Joffy' Smith - but his innings this week was terrifying. He blasted four big sixes, two of them straight drives, in a swashbuckling 71 that helped Seagulls to 124 all out against Pevensey. But his contribution was undone by Pevensey reaching the total with five wickets and an over spare.

Beeding and Bamber secretary Kevin Wright loves cricket cliches, judging by his match report at the weekend. He included no fewer than three classics from their match against Ifield. Kevin even highlighted them for me in his email. Some "unfortunate" fielding allowed Ifield to push the score up. Kevin and team-mate Peter Smith missed easy catches "as the ball came right out of the sun". Beeding then went into "batting meltdown". I will be keeping a sharp eye on cliches this summer. Kevin tops the chart so far but let's see how many more our correspondents can cram into their copy.

A Cambridge based team are looking for a fixture on Sunday, May 27. If you can oblige, contact Christopher Day on O1223 559390 (daytime) or 01799 530026 (evening).