BHASVIC swept to victory in the Sussex Schools under-19s six-a-side football tournament at rain-soaked Varndean, Brighton.

They beat defending champions Littlehampton 2-0 in the final with strikes from goal machine Tom Levitt, who scored eight in the tournament, and Steve Metcalf.

Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College are enjoying plenty of success on the football pitch. They were the first Sussex college to reach the English Schools and Colleges Under-19s Cup quarter-finals two years in a row. Last season they won the Sussex Cup and were Sussex League champions.

BHASVIC county cup finalists again this season and meet Imberhorne (East Grinstead) next month. Their third team meet Park Seconds in the Second X1 Cup final at Shoreham on April 24.

The college has also produced Ollie Rowland, who played for England Schools last season and is now a professional with Crystal Palace, plus Tom Djamaluddin, who has just returned from a tour to Trinidad and Tobago with the British Colleges.

Alan Sanders, manager and Sixes organiser, says their success is due to a sports academy at the College.

He said: "It is no coincidence the college have had a lot of success since the Academy started.

"Our football side is going well. The students are coached, study for coaching badges and go into other schools and clubs to link up with the community.

"We also have a tie-up with Albion and it has all helped raise the level. The fact we've had success on the field and produced internationals shows it is working.

"The Sixes is another example of what we can achieve.

"Lewes Tertiary recently won the top Sussex Schools rugby cup and we're doing the same in football because of a similar set-up.

"Our Academy goes beyond football into basketball, where we've made the Sussex League division two play-offs, and cricket.

"I put Tom up front and he certainly repaid me. He was unlucky to miss out on England Schoolboys with Ollie last year."

Levitt added: "I enjoyed my striking role and I want to try and follow Ollie into the professional game. The Academy has certainly helped my football.

"The only disappointing thing about the Sixes was that we got soaked!"

Victory was sweet for BHASVIC because Littlehampton beat them in last year's semi-finals to prevent them retaining their title.

They overcame Chichester Tech 2-1 while Littlehampton pipped Steyning Grammar 2-1 after extra time in the semi-finals.

BHASVIC headed their qualifying group ahead of Collyers (Horsham), Haywards Heath and Worthing.

Steyning came through ahead of Chichester Tech, who qualified as the runners-up with most points from the three groups. Cardinal Newman (Hove) finished third and Hove Park fourth.

Littlehampton topped the third group from the hosts, with Beacon (Crowborough) and Boundstone (Lancing) third and fourth.

BHASVIC slipped up in the girls competition. They failed to qualify for the final in which Chichester Tech lifted the title for the second time in three years with a 3-1 victory over Cardinal Newman. Worthing also competed.

Sanders said: "The girls football at the college is an aspect that needs improvement."

The tournament involved more than 140 players.

PARK College (Eastbourne) have defeated Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College Seconds 7-2 in the semi-finals of the Sussex Schools First X1 League play-offs.

They meet Varndean in the final at Shoreham on April 25 (kick-off 7pm)

Varndean face Bexhill in the Second XI League final play-off next month.