Lewes are determined to put last year's championship heartache behind them.

Promotion to the premier division of the National League was denied to Lewes on the final weekend of the season.

Having led for much of the second half of the season, Lewes needed to win their final game against Doncaster to clinch the sole promotion place to the top flight of English hockey.

But a 2-2 draw at home to Doncaster allowed Loughborough Students to jump above the Sussex side.

Now manager Peter Boyse said: "Our aim is to go one better than last year. We have a tough start but we will give it a go on Sunday."

Lewes open the new season with a match at home to promoted Hampstead, who have been tipped by the hockey pundits to win the league this year.

Lewes have lost Welsh international Simon Owen to Canterbury, but two new faces have arrived and a young squad also has another year's experience behind them.

Among them is Ben Hawes, who has spent the summer training with England under-21s Forward Carl Wright has signed from Crawley, while South African international Chris Hibbert has joined to challenge Nick Dale for the goalkeeper's spot.

Another team hoping to have a say at the top end of the table is East Grinstead.

Last season they struggled with a young side and were ultimately delighted to escape relegation.

John Murphy has returned as manager, having relinquished the role to Barrie Sullivan last season. Among the new signings are overseas forwards, Andrew Smythe and Stephen Meyer, both of whom have played for leading club Freemantle and their state side, Western Australia.

They are joined by midfielder Alex Brown, from division one champions Loughborough Students, and full-back John Perris, a past captain of Harleston Magpies.

Grinstead begin their campaign away to Brooklands.