Ritchie Venner beat off a determined challenge by Paul Barry to win the Hastings Championships at Hollington.

Venner, 37, who was making his debut at Hastings, eventually came through 8-11, 11-7, 12-10, 16-14.

Venner said: "After winning all three of my matches for Darlington last weekend, I felt I was in good form. But Paul played extremely well and almost took me to the fifth game."

He will be the top seed at next weekend's Crawley championships.

Venner's excellent form is returning just in time for the Crawley tournament and the All-Sussex Championships at Fontwell on March 1 to 2, where he will attempt to regain the title held by Crawley's Mayur Majithia.

Rose Rainton, the Sussex champion, stormed to her ninth Hastings women's singles crown with a final round victory 11-4, 11-4, 11-3 against England No.15 veteran Sheila King.

The Summer League, due to start on April 16, is scheduled to last eight weeks at the University of Brighton (Falmer site). It is open to Sussex players of all standards.

Fees range from £5-£12. Entries to Rory Scott, 8 Widdicombe Way, Brighton, BN2 4TG.