Sussex Colts won their first South East League title since 1983 by defeating Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire 71/2-41/2 at Liphook.

They have high hopes of successfully defending the crown next year when only Dean Plant will be excluded on grounds of age.

Among the emerging talent at this level Sussex can feel optimistic about the progress of Paul Jones, Mark Brayshaw, who was travelling reserve for the final, Jack Budgen and Peter Chandler.

While floods closed many courses, Liphook's undulating heathland remained unaffected and the stunning golden foliage was matched by an 18-carat Sussex performance.

The foursomes were tied at 2-2. Sussex captain Tony Hilton and Alastair Malins were always in control and won 4 and 3.

Rob Bright and Craig McCollum came through with the same score to give Sussex an early lead.

Dean Plant and Henry Hilton never really got to grips and went down 4 and 3. Carl Fidler and Neil Conley staged a brave comeback from three down after ten holes, having levelled the match on the 13th, but this was all wasted as they lost the last hole to a par.

Tony Hilton was sent out first to try and put early points on the board in the singles competition.

He duly obliged by winning 3 and 2. Plant, playing his last Colts match, suffered a 7 and 6 defeat, which was particularly disappointing as he started the season in great form by shooting a course record of 61 over his own patch at Willingdon.

Neil Conley gained a three-hole lead but that was narrowed until he produced a birdie on the last to secure a much needed two-hole win.

Craig McCollum won his match comfortably and remained unbeaten in all his singles this season. Rob Bright never looked in any trouble and won much as he pleased.

Full This is his first full Colts season and Rob must now be setting his sights on the Sussex first team next year.

Henry Hilton lost 3 and 2 but this didn't detract from a tremendous season with the Colts. Alastair Malins, another in his first year of county golf, accepted the responsibility of going out last and didn't disappoint as he won 6 and 5.

This proved to be the winning point, while the last match to finish was Carl Fidler who, despite losing three holes on the trot, showed much courage to birdie the last for a half.

Results, foursomes (Sussex names first): Alastair Malins and Tony Hilton beat James Lawson and Tom Lawson 4 and 3; Rob Bright and Craig McCollum beat Mark Housego and Stephen Richards 4 and 3; Dean Plant and Henry Hilton lost to Robert Christian and Gregg Blainey 4 and 3; Carl Fidler and Neil Conley lost to Andrew Sheffield and James Horseman, one hole.

Singles: Tony Hilton beat Housego 3 and 2; Plant lost to James Lawson 7 and 6; Conley beat Tom Lawson, two holes; McCollum beat Blainey 3 and 1; Bright beat Horseman 5 and 4; Fidler and Christian halved; Henry Hilton lost to Sheffield 3 and 2; Malins beat Richards 6 and 5.

Meanwhile,Colts manager Steve Graham proved his consistency by winning the Sussex County Order of Merit for the second time in three years.

The Sussex Colts team manager from Mid Sussex, just pipped Worthing's Scott Nightingale, with county champion Joe Doherty third.

Graham has headed the list three times over the last ten years and gained one runners-up spot and made third place on three occasions.

Top 10: 1 Steve Graham (Mid Sussex) 35.5 points; 2 Scott Nightingale (Worthing) 30.2; 3 Joe Doherty (Worthing) 29; 4 Dean Plant (Willingdon) 28.25; 5 Nigel Harrington (Worthing) 24; 6 Bruce Whalley (Ifield) 19; 7 Alastair Malins (Paxhill ParK) 17.5: 8 Nick Tull (Goodwood) 15.5; 9 Matt Summerfield (Cottesmore) 13,5; 10 Rob Bright (Bognor) 13.2.