There will be a new winner of the 12th Sussex Inter-Club Matchplay Championship tomorrow.

Finalists Littlehampton and East Sussex National have never won the coveted trophy and there is little between them in what promises to be a gripping final at The Dyke.

Apart from winning the Sussex club team championship two years ago, Littlehampton have a modest record in their 115-year history.

East Sussex National, which twice hosted the European Open in the early 1990s, has attracted a host of low handicap players but has yet to make a major impact in the county.

Tomorrow, both clubs emerge from the shadows and something has to give.

ESN, who have a slight edge, were pushed all the way in the second round at Sedlescombe and only went through on a 21-15 countback.

They steamed into the final in style under the guidance of team manager Derek Howe, who is general manager at Little Horsted.

In nearly two years holding the reins, Howe has done much to revive ESN's fortunes after a prolonged sticky patch.

He is an experienced administrator, particularly adept in turning ailing businesses round, and is in the happy position of having 48 category one players from which to select a ten-man squad.

Although Ben Evans, the England Boys international is a member, his first claim is Rye and he is also Sedlescombe's four times champion. By rule, he is ineligible for ESN this year but has represented the club in other competitions.

Howe said: "We have a good team spirit and I am certain that is also the case at Littlehampton. I am sure it will be a great final but am not making any predictions."

Howard Chipperfield, the Littlehampton team manager, said the semi-final defeat of favourites Worthing was, to some degree, the final for his players.

Lee Murley has returned from honeymoon and is back in the side. Darryl Minton, who took his place against Worthing, stays in and unlucky Mark Dignam is reserve.

Both teams bristle with talent. Littlehampton's most experienced performer is Steve Graham, who has played for England and was briefly a professional. Wayne Hawes is the current Sussex champion.

Jack Budgen, the Sussex title-holder last year, is one of the youngest players in a strong ESN line-up.

The Plate final between Haywards Heath and Ham Manor promises to be a ripper.

Last year, Haywards Heath sprang a surprise by beating Worthing in the Trophy final.

This time, they were shocked in the first round, exiting at rank outsiders Rustington.

Form points to Haywards Heath recording a unique double by winning the Trophy and Plate in successive years.

Backmarker Craig McCollum, runner-up last week in the Golf World Champion of Champions at Woodhall Spa, heads a team that, on their day, will take some beating.

But Ham Manor do not regard themselves as pushovers. They lost to Haywards Heath in the Trophy last year but previously were good enough to win at their Angmering home, so tomorrow will be a case of best of three.

"We'll have a good go," said team manager Dave Peskett. "I've made my selections but would like to mention Bill Groombridge and Robert Hayes, who will not be playing, but have helped us through the earlier rounds."