Brighton found a temporary home at Hove Park School with Waterhall still closed due to the foot and mouth virus.

But it did not lift the gloom of a dismal few weeks for the Three South East outfit, who could only draw 6-6 at home to bottom side Askeans.

Brighton believe they will have lost around £500 in bar takings by not staging matches at Waterhall on Saturday.

At least two Geraint Jones penalties prevented their makeshift line-up becoming the first team to lose at home to Askeans this season.

The Sussex RFU hope to get special dispensation from MAFF this week to stage the under-16 international between England and Italy on Easter Saturday, April 14 from 2.30pm. Tickets are available on Brighton 292720.

Worthing ground out a dour 5-3 home win over Charlton Park with all the scoring coming in the first 11 minutes. Dave Arnold slotted a penalty for Park but Steve Imrie crashed over for the winning try when Worthing moved the ball down the line.

Player/coach Ray Hennessy grabbed a hat-trick of tries as in-form East Grinstead thrashed Lewes 54-14. Paul Goodwin (2), Nigel Yeo and Dan Moore also crossed and Steve O'Reilly was in good form with boot.

Gs played some entertaining stuff against a below strength Lewes side, for whom Richard Siggs and Richard Wood scored tries which Huw James converted. Crawley lost 23-12 at Sidcup.