County League chairman Peter Bentley says he is more hopeful of completing the season without the need for an emergency competition.

Over 450 games have been postponed this season, but the weather has improved sufficiently to allow virtually a full programme to be completed on the last three match dates.

And, with the Sussex Floodlight and Intermediate Cup competitions in abeyance and unlikely to be revived this season, Bentley believes the league competitions should be completed as normal.

He has praised clubs' willingness to switch grounds so that games could be played.

On Boxing Day Shinewater re-arranged their second division match to Westfield because their own ground was unfit ten days after a similar change involving Peacehaven and Crowborough.

Bentley said: "Division Two gives me some cause for concern because of the number of clubs without floodlights, but providing the weather doesn't get too bad again there won't be any need to call clubs together to discuss an emergency competition, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

"Division One isn't a problem as it stands and, apart from two ties, all the remaining cup matches in the Senior, RUR and John O'Hara competitions can be played in midweek which is a big help. Clubs want to play and are prepared to be flexible, even if they don't get too much notice."