Preston Nomads and Ansty have emerged as the first winners in this year's Sussex Junior Festival.

Nomads lifted the under-13s crown two years after the bulk of the same side triumphed at under-11s, while Ansty took the under-11s trophy for the second successive year.

The Albion influence helped Fulking-based Nomads to a seven-wicket triumph against Chichester Priory in their 35-overs-a-side final at Hurstpierpoint College.

They were skippered by Jordan Rollings, the Sussex captain and son of former Seagull Andy, while Ollie Gatting, offspring of Albion FA Cup final midfielder Steve, top- scored.

Sussex batsman Gatting hit 57 not out, including a six to win the game, as Nomads knocked off the runs after Chi had posted 137 with Owen Kernan taking 4-13.

Michael Chapman, who plays for Sussex under-12s, chipped in with an unbeaten 35 for Nomads.

Kernan and Gatting were awarded their club's player-of-the-week award for consistent performances during the qualifying tournament as well as the final.

Gatting scored a superb 98 in a victory against Findon and was caught on the boundary going for his century.

All-rounder Kernan played a hero's role when Nomads' Sussex under-13s quartet - Gatting, Rollings, Alastair Wilson, David Smith - missed a win against Keymer and Hassocks because they were on county duty in Kent. Kernan fired 74 as he skippered a side largely made up of under-12 cricketers. He opened with Matt Sewell, one of the younger players, and they put on 65 for the first wicket.

Wilson claimed 4-12 off six overs in a triumph against St Peters (Brighton).

Manager Gary Kernan, Owen's father, said: "Winning the festival was testament to the strength in depth of the club. That match against Keymer and Hassocks was crucial and our under-12s rose to the challenge.

"The side realised their potential, like they did winning the Mid Sussex League, after under- achieving last year.

"Ollie and Owen did very well for us."

Andy Rollings praised the team's performances.

He said: "I spoke to Chi's manager Mark Trimmer, who said he'd be happy if his side posted 70, although I don't know whether that was just kidology. His team did well. The pitch was damp and it was not a great wicket.

"But Jordan's side showed how gutsy they were. They were very strong."

Ansty skipper Jonathan Young led by example with a match-winning 91, including 11 fours, off 72 balls as his side defeated Little Common in the 30-overs-a-side under-11s final. He shared a second-wicket partnership of 77 in 29 minutes with Chris Barnes.

Young helped set a target of 193-6 and was caught and bowled after he was asked to push the score along.

He was supported by steady knocks from Barnes (38) and Ben Reeve (26) with Elliott Guest (1-29 off seven overs) the pick of the Little Common bowlers.

Max Winchester top-scored for Little Common with 33 but Reeve (2-5), Jethro Menzies (2-6) and Tom Kemp (2-10) bowled impressively to ensure they were dismissed for 76.

Young, skipper of national primary schools finalists Harlands (Haywards Heath), said: "The ball didn't bounce much but I managed to get my eye in during the final. I enjoyed the week and being captain because of the responsibility."

Barnes, William Bennett, who missed the final because of Sussex under-10s commitments, and James Wright hit maiden half-centuries in the qualifying games.

Barnes was supported by Young's 47 and helped Ansty compile 205-9 in a 129-run success against Cuckfield.

Bennett and Wright were unbeaten on 52 in a total of 260-2 as the their side swept to a 192-run win over Scaynes Hill. Reeve took 3-3. Ansty manager Max Wright said: "We're delighted to have built on the success of last year's under-11s."

Nomads' final line-up: Owen Kernan, Jordan Rollings, Ollie Gatting, Alastair Wilson, Michael Chapman, David Smith, Arjun Shah, Matt Sewell, Harry Hales, Josh Bagshaw, Michael Ides.

Ansty final line-up: Chris Barnes, Tom Bushell, Rory Dormer, Grant Fiorentinos, Tom Kemp, Alex Middleton, Ben Reeve, Jack Treharne, James Wright, Jonathan Young, Jethro Menzies.

Under-11s teams: Eastbourne, Hastings A, Hastings B, Lingfield A, Lingfield B, East Grinstead, Little Common, Ansty, Cuckfield, Scaynes Hill, Lewes Priory, Horsham, Crawley, Ifield, Brighton and Hove, St James' Montefiore (Ditchling), St Matthias (Brighton), Preston Nomads, Chichester, Eastergate, Felpham, Goring.

Under-13s teams: Hastings, Bexhill, Eastbourne, Buxted Park, East Grinstead, Felbridge, Lingfield, Barcombe, Lewes Priory, St James' Montefiore, Scaynes Hill, Ifield, Horsham, Ansty, Findon, St Peters (Brighton), Preston Nomads (Fuking), Keymer and Hassocks, Worthing Chippingdale, Chichester, Goring, Worthing.