Hove secured a play-off and cup double last night, then admitted they are already preparing for their toughest league challenge.

The London Two South East runners-up saw off a more makeshift Worthing Raiders II outfit 23-3 in the final of the Sussex Trophy at Crawley.

Victory came ten days after they secured promotion via a play-off and, thanks to a dominant first-half display, was probably a bit less tense than that win over Guernsey.

The challenge of London One now awaits, which is uncharted territory for the club.

But, while league business is the priority for most clubs these days, player-assistant coach Ben Coulson admits a taste of knockout success will do no harm going into what could be a busy summer.

Coulson, who captained the side in the absence of injured Glenn Rankin, said: “It’s a very important result for us.

“This is basically our first step towards next season.

“We need to make sure we can compete against players and athletes like Worthing have got.

“Obviously we need to strengthen the squad. Some of us need to get a bit fitter and I put myself top of that list. But the boys will really enjoy this.”

Sean Taylor, Liam Hale and Matt Sole scored tries with Coulson kicking eight points against his old club.

The experienced full-back added: “It was a fantastic team performance. The forwards were very strong and competed well.

“We had some great performances in midfield by Adam Phillips, Ben Ward and Ryan Morlen, who were outstanding.”

It looked like Hove might run away with it during a first half in which, with fly-half Phillips pulling the strings, they went through an impressive attacking repertoire.

Worthing relied on organisation and guts to keep their line intact, which they did for 27 minutes.

Then Hove worked the ball right, were provided with an extra man by the appearance of hooker Rory Chesham in the line and eventually saw winger Taylor get in at the corner.

Flanker Dave Wattam laid on the second score, charging through the middle before sending fellow forward Hale in when he could have scored himself.

At 13-0 that looked to be contest over.

To Worthing’s credit, though, it was not quite that simple.

As a club they, like Hove, have enjoyed their best ever season and the second string, watched by director of rugby Will Green, summoned up one last effort.

Crucially, Hove denied them a try during almost 20 minutes of pressure.

Jack Metters slotted a simply penalty but that was as good as it got for Worthing.

Scrum half Sole added a third Hove try chasing a kick ahead and Coulson added the extras plus a last-kick penalty.

Fixture congestion has badly affected the Trophy this season but the county will have been pleased to have squeezed in a final before the end of the season.

Tuesday night rugby at this level is quite a culture shock but about 300 spectators turned up and they got a decent game.

It certainly made a fitting finale for happy Hove.

Hove: Coulson; Marshall, Morlen, Ward, Taylor; Phillips, Sole; Wren, Chesham, Henderson; Evans, Wilson; Giles, Hale, Wattam. Reps: Hasib, Cooke, Fry, Baker, Hancock, Eubank.

Tries: Taylor, Hale, Sole. Con: Coulson. Pens: Coulson (2).

Worthing II: Marshall; Maslen, Adams, Meddings, Ryle; Farnes, Metters; Fisher, Hewick, Mills; Dove, Pitchford, Smith, May, Kirchell. Reps: Pothecary, Stevens, Jack, Williams, Winsor, Rogers, Double.

Pen: Metters.

Referee: Sean Davey.

For more pictures see The Argus today.