West Hove are celebrating after being crowned East Sussex primary school champions.

Will Gray was player-of-the-match as they beat Ocklynge (Eastbourne) by eight runs in the final, sponsored by Davies and Tate, at the County Ground in Hove.

They totalled 107 runs before dismissing Ocklynge for 99 in a showdown dominated by bowlers.

West Hove won their group from St Mary's Star Of The Sea (Hastings), St John's (Crowborough) and Catsfield.

Ocklynge made it through by topping their section from Southover, Hawkes Farm (Hailsham) and Cradle Hill (Seaford).

West Hove joined West Sussex champions Harlands (Haywards Heath) in the South East final at East Grinstead today when a national final place at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, was at stake.

Organiser Nick Wilton, the former Sussex wicketkeeper, said: "The batsman found it difficult in the final but overall the standard was pretty good.

"The idea is to give kids a taste of the game and I think they enjoyed the day."

The eight finalists to compete in the Colman's Sussex Clubs' Under-Tens finals under floodlights at the County Ground on August 30 are: Felpham Colts, Roffey, Brighton and Hove, Preston Nomads (Fulking), St James Montefoire (Ditchling). Haywards Heath, Eastbourne and Bells Yew Green.

The standard of junior cricket in Sussex this season is a cause for concern, according to director of youth Chris Waller.

He says results in age groups from under-tens to under-15s have been "pretty average", criticises the lack of talent and says too much 'soft' cricket is played.

Waller said: "Overall, we don't seem to be as strong as when we won two national under-15 titles when the likes of Carl Hopkinson and Matthew Prior were in the side. It is a worry.

"I'm not sure why it is. There is a lot of 'soft' cricket, which is a good introduction to the game. The 'hard' game needs to come in earlier. That is something I'd like to see changed.

"We have some talented youngsters. Ollie Raynor is a decent off-spinner and we've got a quickie in Luke Vinter at under-15s, while Joe Gatting has done well. But we have not got so many as we have had and pre-match instructions don't seem to be carried out on occasions.

"Yet, I don't see the future as bleak. These things go in cycles. We've produced plenty of players like Chris Nash and Krishana Singh, who play at under-21s, Michael Yardy, James Kirtley and Robin Martin-Jenkins.

"Suddenly someone may spark and make a big impression but at the moment, particularly teamwise, we're struggling. The under-tens have drawn two and lost two, the under-11s have lost all of their matches, the under-12s have drawn and lost, the under-13s have won one and lost two and the under-14s have won one, lost two and drawn one.

"The under-15s are unbeaten and could make the quarter-finals of the national competition but, generally, the teams aren't so good."

Cricketers from St Bede's (Eastbourne) were fired up by a visit from West Indian legend Sir Garfield Sobers.

The school are preparing for a tour of Barbados and Sobers, the greatest all-rounder of all time, offered youngsters tips about how to play on his native Island.

Ollie Raynor, a national under-19s squad member, said: "It was inspiring to meet a legend of the game, especally someone from the West Indies."

Sobers, who was the first batsman to hit six sixes in an over, spent four hours at the school after being invited to meet the youngsters for a question and answer session prior to the Barbados trip.

School marketing manager Ina Tayler said: "He filled the pupils with enthusiasm for cricket and his home country.

"Sir Garfield was impressed with the talent and cricket facilities."

Former Sussex captain Alan Wells, St Bede's cricket coach, said: "The boys really enjoyed the visit. We hope they enjoy the tour even more after meeting someone like Sir Garfield."