Sixteen Sussex schools are a step away from Twickenham after qualifying from the Sussex Emerging Rugby Schools Championships at Hove.

They will now compete in next month's South East Region event at Dorking where the prize will be a national final place at the home of rugby prior to the Army versus Navy match at Twickenham in May.

Eight teams went through in the under-12s age group and Imberhorne (East Grinstead) were crowned champions with a rookie side.

They defeated Hove Park 5-0 in the final when Greg Pearce scored the winning try.

Imberhorne were top of their group after victories against Bognor Community College (15-0). Littlehampton, Priory, Lewes (15-0) and Downlands, Hassocks (15-0).

They totted up 15 tries without reply, top scorer Pearce grabbing five.

Coach Clive Marshall said: "Eight of the team were completely new to the game and they have learned a lot quickly.

"Playing at Twickenham would be an incredible reward for their effort and perserverence.

"We have a good spirit and have players from Scotland, Ireland and England, plus one who is half Israeli and another who claims to be half Italian.

"This win is massive for the school. It shows the two years of hard work put in to develop the sport at the school, in conjunction with the East Grinstead Club, has been worthwhile."

Mark Behar, 12, hopes to make a playing return to Twickenham.

He said: "I have only been there once on a tour of the ground. It would be exciting to go back and play on such a famous pitch."

Imberhorne won their group from Lewes Priory. Bognor were third and Littlehampton fourth. All four teams qualify to play at Dorking.

Hove Park finished top of the other group with seven points after 5-5 draws against Forest (Horsham) and Angmering and a 5-0 win against Ringmer.

Forest were runners-up with Ringmer third and Angmering fourth to make it to the regionals.

The other eight schools went through in the under-13s age group. Hazelwick (Crawley) and Sackville (East Grinstead) shared the county title because there was no time to play the final.

In their group, Hazelwick kept clean sheets as they defeated Durrington 5-0, Littlehampton 15-0, Blatchington Mill (Brighton and Hove) 5-0, Bognor 5-0 and Worthing 20-0. They clinched top spot with a walkover against Hove Park.

Organiser Jon Bates, the Sussex rugby development officer, said: "Hove Park left before they were due to play."

Hazelwick coach Warren Bagnall, who helped Crawley beat Albion at football this week, was delighted.

He said: "The lads really enjoyed the event. We haven't done a lot of rugby, so to get the chance of so many games was great. They learned so much.

"There were a couple of outstanding performances from Ian Powders and George Benning, who both got tries, but it was a wonderful team effort.

"It will be fantastic to get some more experiences in the regionals and Twickenham is a great incentive."

In their group, Sackville beat Downlands 5-0 and drew with Angmering (5-5), Priory (0-0), Forest (0-0) and Imberhorne (0-0). They were awarded a victory as Uplands failed to show.

Downlands were runners-up, Angmering third and Priory fourth.

Hove Park were runners-up in Hazelwick's group with Durrington third and Blatchington Mill (Brighton and Hove) fourth.