Mark Hassell has been around Sussex rugby long enough to know most of the pitfalls.

That is why he will urge his Heathfield and Waldron side not to be blown off the top of the table, just a week after taking charge of Sussex One.

The title race is looking to be a two-horse race between Heathfield, who have a perfect record, and East Grinstead, the side they beat last week.

Both the top two have identified possible banana skins among their remaining fixtures.

And a windy afternoon on Seaford seafront this Saturday is among the things of which Hassell, chairman of senior rugby at Heathfield, admits he is wary.

Hassell, whose remit has been refined from when he was director of rugby at all age groups at Heathfield, said: "I remember playing at Seaford many times and if the wind blows they know how to use it.

"East Grinstead are by far and away the strongest side we've played but we've heard they struggled at Seaford.

"But Seaford are difficult to beat at their place.

"You can kick the ball into the wind there and it ends up 50 yards behind you.

"I know plenty about the grounds in Sussex One but we don't know much about the teams."

The fact Heathfield and Grinstead are shining in Sussex One, with Brighton and Crawley fighting out the minor places, will come as a surprise to anyone who has been out of the county for a few years.

It is not that long since all four of those clubs were going well in London Three.

Hassell enjoyed those relative glory days at Cross-in-Hand but insists the club is stronger now.

He said: "We had a good team back then who all grew old together.

"We didn't do enough to make sure youngsters were coming through.

"We were relegated and relegated again.

"We lost players to Haywards Heath and other clubs and did not bring others through.

"Now we've got a very good young side. The average age is 23 or 24.

"We are a stronger club now. The last time we won Sussex One, our second team came bottom of their Merit Table.

"Now the Seconds and Thirds are top and we are building strength in depth.

"A lot of time and effort has been put in by the management.

"Dave Jones has come in as head coach. He is a good man manager and he has changed the feel about the team.

"Last Thursday night we had 30 at training. The year before that we didn't even train on a Thursday. That's the difference."

Hassell admits the trip to East Grinstead will be tough and is realistic enough to know the title could go down to points difference.

Grinstead skipper James Smith, whose side led 16-3 last week, has clearly had a good look at the fixture list.

He said: "Heathfield are at our place for the first game back after Christmas. That's rather unfortunate because ideally we would have had a couple of weeks of training.

"But it will be the same for them. They are all tough, though. If you go into any game too conceited you will slip up."

Hassell admits the trip to Saint Hill is likely to be the title decider.

He said: "Most other teams have lost at least two games already.

"Grinstead have always had a strong junior set-up and they have some very talented players, especially in the backs.

"If both teams can go up I would like to think we would both do well in London Four."